Toyota A-BAT hybrid pickup closer to reality

Up to suppliers now?

Back in January Toyota showed off the A-BAT hybrid pickup truck at the Detroit Auto Show, and it was received quite well. Thus, Toyota has now asked suppliers to bid on making parts for the truck, and if those bids come back as cost-effective, the A-BAT hybrid could get the greenlight to go from concept to reality, according to AutoWeek.

Are smaller, unibody hybrid trucks a good idea?

Are hybrid trucks like the A-BAT a step in the right direction?

Small trucks are not a hot seller in the pickup segment, yet in the last few months both Toyota and GM have debuted small, unibody-framed hybrid trucks. Toyota's A-BAT hybrid concept kicked things off just before the Detroit Auto Show, only to be followed by GM's Denali XT hybrid just before the Chicago Show.

Is the small, almost-crossover truck segment the right kind of product for the buyers of hybrid vehicles?

GM set to debut the Denali XT Hybrid Truck

GM's hot new hybrid truck concept

At this year's Chicago Auto Show, GM will debut the GMC Denali XT hybrid truck concept. Like Toyota's A-BAT hybrid truck, the Denali hybrid will be built on a car-like unibody frame, however, the Denali will offer a 7 inch longer truck bed and an ethanol-capable dual mode hybrid powertrain. I say, build it now!

Toyota hybrids: Nothing to gain, everything to lose?

Is every other automaker far behind Toyota?

I've been a bit disappointed with Toyota at the last couple of major auto shows; the LA Auto Show and NAIAS. Mostly, I'm just dying to see Toyota take their hybrid vehicles to the next level. Thus, even though the A-BAT hybrid truck was one of my favorite hybrid concepts at NAIAS, I still wanted more from Toyota. I wanted to see, touch and feel Toyota's hybrid future - the next Prius.

Yet, what does Toyota have to gain by showing off much from its third generation Hybrid Synergy Drive, such as the next-gen Prius, or even a lithium-powered plug-in Prius? Prius sales, for example, are kicking ass. Showing off a better Prius would probably only slow Toyota's hybrid sales, not help them.

Is Toyota smart to stay quiet about its next generation Prius?

Toyota A-BAT Hybrid Concept - Build it

Smoking hot hybrid

I've been able to spend some time around the Toyota A-BAT hybrid truck concept and I think I'm falling in love. The clean, sleak design lines of this hybrid truck almost make the A-BAT feel like more of a crossover than a truck. Still, the fold down rear seats and the bed extender provide full truck bed space.

I'm not really a truck guy, but the A-BAT hybrid could change that if Toyota decides to produce this very cool hybrid.

Toyota's crazy hybrid truck concept: The A-BAT

Another unique hybrid from Toyota

According to MSNBC Toyota will introduce a hybrid truck concept at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Like the Prius, the A-BAT hybrid truck concept will utilize a very unusual body style, however, also like the Prius, Toyota's newest hybrid concept still oozes functionality.

"The four-passenger pickup features a 4-foot bed, while a translucent roof panel slides open to allow for tall cargo inside the cab. The bed can be extended by 2 feet by folding down the passthrough midgate into the cab and by another 2 feet by opening the tailgate."

Additionally, the hybrid truck also includes a solar-powered, portable 7-inch navigation screen that offers WIFI Internet. Finish....