Toyota clarifies Detroit '09 hybrid intro plans, no third model
by Sam Abuelsamid on Jun 19th 2008 at 8:02PM 
Toyota has issued a clarification to reports earlier this week that it would introduce a third dedicated hybrid model in January at the Detroit Auto Show. At this year's show company president Katsuoko Watanabe announced that the company would bring two all new hybrid-only models to the 2009 show one each for Lexus and Toyota. That is all Toyota will unveil in Detroit. There will not be a third new hybrid. One of the new cars will be the new Prius. An additional model remains a possibility for introduction at some other show. This could either be a larger car or it might be the plug-in Prius that will debut in 2010 for fleet testing use.
[Source: Toyota]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GoodCheer 1:18PM (6/20/2008)
So all we'll see in Detroit is the GenIII Prius and (probably) the Lexus badged Fancy-Prius?
I was really hoping that the other one might be a production version of the 1/Xth we saw in the last round of car shows... I'm one of (apparently) few people who sees the Prius as a pretty large vehicle, and who would like the same tech in a smaller package.
Reply
DIANE 5:45PM (6/22/2008)
I LOVE OUR 2005 PRIUS. WE CURRENTLY GET 45 MILES TO THE GALLON CITY DRIVING SOMETIMES UP TO 51MPG. ANYTHING ELSE RIGHT AT THIS MOMENT DOES NOT SEEM AS IMPORTANT.
Reply
ENAID 9:30AM (6/23/2008)
I BET A NEW CAPS-LOCK KEY IS THE NEXT PURCHASE ON YOUR LIST AMIRIGHT?
Reply
MarcT 2:19PM (6/23/2008)
After the intro of the two vehicles, I just wonder how quickly HSDIV will start finding its way into the Camry, Highlander, RX, GS and LS. I often wish someone from Toyota had a mouth like Bob Putz, so we could get some clearer glimpses at future plans.
But really, those vehicles would not be new models, so is there any reason to think that upgraded engines shouldnt soon follow the Prius's intro?
Reply