Mitsubishi's "groundbreaking concept for a hybrid-powered small car"

"Mitsubishi Motors North America has lifted the covers off its new Concept-CT, which it said is a groundbreaking concept for a hybrid-powered small car that “may influence development of future” models."

"The key contributor to roomy packaging, performance potential and fuel efficiency is the in-house-developed Mitsubishi In-wheel Electric Vehicle (MIEV) hybrid powertrain, which uses an electric motor in each of the vehicle's four wheels." (more)

Toyota might be the leader in hybrid cars, but that dominance is certainly not guaranteed into the future. While hybrids might dominant the future, it is also possible that competition among automakers in hybrid technology might result in a new type of hybrid technology that is cheaper and more powerful than Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive.

Naysayers can continue to call hybrids a niche, but the amount of development that is pouring into hybrids from multiple automakers and suppliers is destined to radically change the future of automobiles much sooner than naysayers believe. Competition always breeds unexpected innovations.