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Toyota seeks suppliers for A-BAT pickup

 
2 2,079 views Sep 22, 2008
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Toyota considers building A-BAT pickup despite downturn in truck market

Toyota considers building A-BAT pickup despite downturn in truck market

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Less than a year after showcasing its A-BAT hybrid pickup truck at the Detroit Auto Show Toyota has confirmed that it is looking for potential suppliers for the vehicle but stresses that it has not been given the green light. Suppliers have been asked to bid on making parts for the compact truck, with the list of items including a four-cylinder petrol engine as well as a hybrid module.

According to Toyota, seeking bids on components is a standard practice in evaluating the costs of production, and the A-BAT could still be in competition for a place in the company's compact car lineup against the Urban Cruiser compact SUV. If the costs end up too high for the A-BAT then Toyota will be forced to abandon the project, a situation which is looking increasingly likely due to the vehicle’s expensive unibody platform.

In its favor are its impressive fuel economy, car-like handling, and unique styling. Packaged with the Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, the A-BAT concept also featured a four-foot bed that can lengthen to six-feet when the tailgate is opened.

Another advantage of the A-BAT is that it could be designed using parts from both the Camry Hybrid and the redesigned 2010 Prius to keep costs low, reports Automotive News. Finally, upcoming CAFE regulations could see Toyota introduce the vehicle even if it only breaks even as it would allow the carmaker to bolster its pickup truck lineup with the tougher fuel economy standards in place.



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Comments (2)

  1. ma_Laz avatar Laz Posted: 9/22/2008 9:37am PDT

    I hope Toyota puts this one out. With no other small pick-ups in the US market this should be a winner until everyone else catches up...
     
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  2. By George Posted: 1/15/2010 12:11pm PST

    I do not think it's that simple. If this truck is out it will cannabalize the sale of Tacoma and Rav4. And the price will have to be in the upper 20's and low 30's to make up for the design costs and part costs. Unlike Honda, which has no other tuck in the product line other than Ridgeline, Toyota already had small truck and SUV on the market. The price range and cannabalization are problems.
     
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