Toyota to build Yaris based hybrid in France – report
July 29, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Japanese newspaper Asahi has reported today that Toyota could build a Yaris-based hybrid car in France for sale in the European market.
According to the report Toyota plans to launch a hybrid compact for about 1.5 million yen (A$19,300) in Japan in late 2011, broadening its hybrid lineup.
The new hybrid-only model will use the platform and engine of the Toyota Yaris, which will be fully remodelled to suit the Yaris’ size.
The new hybrid will also feature a more cost-competitive and fuel-efficient hybrid system than that of the Prius and once built is expected to compete with the hybrid version of Honda’s Jazz, which will debut in Japan next year.
Toyota has a goal of selling at least one million hybrid vehicles a year by 2012.
Source: Reuters
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Most pointless hybrid ever – the Yaris is already fuel-efficient enough, the hybrid would only save around 2L/100km. Why don’t they do a Hybrid LandCruiser? That’d reduce fuel consumption by alot! On a car that needs it’s consumption reduced alot.
Jake think of that 2.0 litres as a percentage of the car’s total use and it makes more sense.
Besides, environmental types want to be seen in small well branded cars, not SUVs. It goes against their grain.
I agree with Jake. If they really have to keep making hybrids, they might as well do it to cars that need it more. I really doubt that a hybrid Yaris could beat a diesel supermini. Plus it will probably cost more than a Mini Cooper D in Europe.
This is the right step, provided the price premium isn’t too big and the extra initial outlay can be recouped in say less than 50k km. Prius was a showcase vehicle for Toyota, but for hybrid to really take off, they need to build hybrid version of existing car without a big premium. I think Corolla hybrid will be a nice addition, especially if the price is right, although it will make Prius somewhat redundant.
With a hybrid Yaris and Corolla coming, the Prius is looking less and less attractive.
Baddass, the Prius is almost Corolla anyway, it’s built on the same platform.
A hybrid Yaris should be great, it should really stick it to the European Diesels.