Toyota: Market wants hybrids, not sportscars
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.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tim 8:51AM (2/24/2009)
This is why FREE competition is good. Toyota is free to build what they want to build.
If Bob Carter is right, then Toyota reaps the rewards. If he's wrong, then Toyota will suffer the consequences. They may learn a valuable lesson or they may even fail and create a void in the market place leaving room for EVs or whatever the market really wants.
That's supply-demand, risk-reward competitive Austrian economics.
http://mises.org/
Of course this no longer applies when corrupt politicians redistribute taxpayer money to reward corporate failure. That's why liberals changed the NAME of Socialism to "progressive". It sounds like something new instead of the old failed Statist policy.
Some sheeple are so gullible.
Reply
oldsfan 10:30PM (2/25/2009)
When Japan allows GM, Ford and Chrysler to sell US built cars in Japan, there will be free competion. In the meantime, liberal fools can support the Japanese as they continue to (attempt to) isolate their economy from the rest of the world. What do you make money doing? Perhaps I can get it from the wonderful Japanese instead of you...
Matt 8:53AM (2/24/2009)
NO, what the market wants is a Hybrid Sportscar! They keep making concepts, but nobody builds them. Give me the CR-Z and I'll drive it until the wheels fall off; that is a beautiful car.
Reply
ronEbear 9:12AM (2/24/2009)
+1
I thought that the Honda CR-Z (sounds like crazy) is actually going into production.
brandon 3:16PM (2/24/2009)
ditto
Phil 1:50PM (2/24/2009)
Perhaps Toyota should inform their Lexus division about this revelation.
Reply