Toyota Prius could become full-line vehicle

Posted Thu Nov 2 2006 4:15 AM by Ralph Hanson

Toyota is intent on tripling the amount of hybrid-electric vehicles it’s currently selling in the US, and is aiming to sell one million hybrid cars world wide early next decade. To achieve this goal, the company could turn its Prius hybrid into a full range of Prius based vehicles that could include a wagon and minicar. Jim Lentz, Toyota’s executive vice president of the company's U.S. sales unit, has mentioned that the US will account for half of the expected one million annual sales of Toyota hybrids in an interview to Bloomberg.

To be able to do this, Toyota will require several derivatives of the Prius, which could include a smaller "city car" that would fit with "a trend toward people moving into inner-city lofts," Lentz said. Apparently, there’s also demand for hybrid utility vehicles and we may see a new crossover version in the new future. However, Lentz added that “the company doesn’t have any plans to do that right now.”

Toyota has been aggressive in its promotion of hybrid vehicles, and executive at its luxury division Lexus have expressed an interest in moving towards a full hybrid range.

MotorAuthority