Watanabe: Toyota has no plans for a diesel-hybrid

Posted: Mar 07, 2008
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Toyota has no plans to market diesel-hybrid cars, according to the automakers president. Watanabe said that diesel hybrids will be to expensive for customers.

“Technologically, a passenger car with a diesel hybrid is feasible for us since we already have a truck in Japan with a diesel hybrid.” Watanabe said. “But a diesel hybrid car would cost more than a gasoline hybrid. Today we have no plans to introduce a diesel hybrid.”

Toyota plans on introducing its next generation Prius at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. According to a recent report by Japan”s Nikkan Kogyo, Toyota is already working on a post-lithium ion solution. Goals are to produce a battery that can run 50 miles on a single charge. Toyota hopes to integrate the battery in its cars by 2020.

 

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)


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  • dm

    Wrong! Many hybrid purchasers want, and can afford, a more expensive powertrain option. According to a recent study, a significant % of hybrid buyers downgraded from luxury cars. I sold my Range Rover and got a Prius. I’m guessing most Americans would rather give the $ to our friends from Japan rather than our “friends” from Saudi Arabia.