According to a report in Automotive News Europe, Toyota is considering a new hybrid model based on the Yaris subcompact. The vehicle will use a new, less costly version of the hybrid drivetrain found in the new Prius.
Toyota is aiming to get the vehicle to market by 2011 in a bid to compete with the Honda Fit Hybrid due out next year. Although the new Yaris will debut in Japan and migrate later to European markets, don't be surprised to see it make its way to the U.S. shortly thereafter.
Automotive News Europe: Toyota could build Yaris-based hybrid in France, report says.
redliner says:
08:52 AM, 07/28/09
Why am i not surprised? Toyota seems to be moving slowly (ala GM) Where Honda moved quickly.
konocar400h says:
10:49 AM, 07/28/09
What are you talking about "moving slowly". Toyota has put out more hybrid options than all other manufactures combined.... i dont see where the slowly part comes into that one. Honda has been the company that has been lacking.. they said they were moving to diesel.. and nothing yet. A lot of hondas offerings seem ho-hum to me right now. (i do like the civic) but the pilot is one disgusting vehicle, and the interior is even worse. Im sorry i just had to go off on that...
rallyandbosox says:
11:48 AM, 07/28/09
With the Yaris 'S' starting a little above $15k, I wonder if Toyota can make it so that it won't draw from Prius sales. Also will it be available in the hatchback?
atenza94546 says:
04:49 PM, 07/28/09
Toyota don't need to go too fast. They need to do it right. If we are talking about Hybrids from Toyota not being fast enough. In Japan Hybrid version mini van similar to Sienna called Estima Hybrid have exists several years. It is not slow it have to make sense to this muscle car market. Big in size, big engine, just big very thing in US. Can't blem them because people are bigger in average compare to Asia.
redliner says:
10:21 PM, 07/28/09
I was referring to low cost hybrids. Honda seems to be ahead in that they have the Insight, upcoming cr-z and possibly a fit hybrid. Until now, Toyota had mentioned nothing about a low cost hybrid. To be fair though, Honda's IMA system is cheaper and more adaptable, but not as efficient as Toyota's HSD approach.