Toyota: Market wants hybrids, not sportscars

Posted by in Auto Green, Hybrids on 02 24th, 2009 | no responses

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Toyota Prius If the automaker’s presence at the last couple of Auto Shows (see Detroit , Chicago ) wasn’t enough to clue us in, Toyota Division General Manager Bob Carter has spelled out the Japanese giant’s future product portfolio to Automotive News , saying, “Personally, I would love to have a sporty car, but it is pretty clear what the market is looking for right now.” So, just what is it that the market is looking for? Carter answers, “high-quality, fuel-efficient, low-impact-environment products.” Expect to see plenty of hybrids in the coming years from Toyota, kicked off later this year with the introduction of the 2010 Prius hybrid . A bit further down the line, Toyota says it will dive into fully electric vehicles . Looking beyond the electrification of Toyota’s line for a moment, we remember that the diminutive iQ is also on the horizon. We’ve also heard rumblings of an investment into cellulosic ethanol , though nothing definitive on that front has yet been announced, and the automaker has also continued to pledge its support for hydrogen . Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius [Source: Automotive News - sub. req.] Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Hybrid , Toyota Toyota: Market wants hybrids, not sportscars originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green