Posts Tagged ‘toyota’

Toyota’s 600 mile battery. Did everything just change?

Are today's lithium batteries already obsolete?

Or is the battery space full of disruptive potential?

For many years now Toyota has been working on a number of advanced battery technologies. Yesterday, Toyota announced that they are going to try to commercialize one of these new technologies — a solid state lithium battery capable of 621 miles of range — sometime between 2015 to 2020.

So, what does commercialize really mean? Did everything about the hybrid and plug-in space just change? Read more…

Will Ford/Toyota hybrid trucks be better than GM/Chryslers?

Ford F150 hybrid pickups coming around 2014

Can hybrid technology keep pickups in the pole position of US auto sales?

By now you’ve probably heard that Ford and Toyota are going to team up to develop a hybrid technology for pickup trucks and large SUVs, much like BMW, Chrysler and GM did several years ago. Unfortunately, the later hybrid collaboration has resulted in few hybrid pickup sales, and Chrysler has stopped using dual mode hybrid technology altogether.

So, will Ford and Toyota achieve a better hybrid truck? Would it have been better for the whole industry to unite to reduce costs? Read more…

Toyota most green brand in the world

Interbrand claims Toyota's green image is justified

Toyota doesn’t lead with just words, but also actions

A new study by Interbrand finds that Toyota is the best global green brand in the world, not just based on consumer perceptions, but also Toyota’s real world green actions, such “the companies’ operations, their supply chains, transportation systems, and policies” according to GreenCarReports.

“We believe the strongest green brands lie at the intersection of performance and perception: their ability to build stronger connections with consumers as a result of actionable and credible environmental practices,” claims Interbrand CEO Jez Frampton. Read more…

Toyota sports hybrid still in the mix

Time for a Toyota sporty hybrid?

Is the GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II the next MR2?

For years now Toyota has toyed with sporty hybrid cars, promising that one would eventually make it to the market. And Toyota’s latest sporty hybrid is set to hit the Nürburgring endurance race in July.

While the new GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II seems to demonstrate a sporty hybrid is coming, when still isn’t very clear. Read more…

$125 key to oil prices? An interesting benchmark for hybrid buyers

Potential hybrid buyers should pay close attention to oil prices

Are hybrid prices going up?

Been watching a lot of CNBC these days to stay atop the oil story. Obviously, oil is the key topic, but I was particularly fascinated by an interesting piece on Fast Money last night that touched on oil. Seems like $125 oil is a key benchmark for many on Wall Street – a number that would translate to a national average gasoline price of at least $4.00 – $5.00. That’s when it’s time to really start paying attention.

So, what does this mean for potential buyers of hybrid cars? Read more…

Government – No link between electronics and sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles

No more out of control Prius hybrids expected?

Safe to drive a Toyota again

After a 10 month investigation, the US government has found no link between Toyota’s electronic throttles and sudden acceleration. Instead, the problems associated with sudden acceleration – when not driver error – have been linked to lose floor mats and sticky accelerator pedals due to a faulty part.

“There is no electronic-based cause for unintended high-speed acceleration in Toyotas,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement.

Source: Reuters

Toyota to move beyond rare earths and lithium by 2020?

Rare earth and lithium free hybrids and plug-ins by 2020?

Is Toyota’s hybrid experience set for big payoffs?

While Toyota has assembled a task force to secure new rare earth metals outside of China, the company has a “long term” plan to eventually move beyond rare earths. For instance, Toyota is in the “advanced” stages of developing non-rare earth-containing inductive motors.

Likewise, Toyota isn’t content with lithium-ion technologies and the automaker believes it could replace lithium within 10 years. Read more…

Toyota still confused about hybrid pickup truck space

A-BAT hybrid pickup still a possibility, even as a Prius.

Do hybrid pickup trucks make sense?

With rising gas prices coupled with rising pickup truck sales, one might think hybrid pickup trucks would be a no-brainer. Yet, after a few years on the market GM’s hybrid trucks, such a the Chevy Silverado hybrid, simply are not selling.

Thus, Toyota isn’t ready to rush into the hybrid pickup truck space, although a number of options are on table. Read more…

Toyota’s new hybrid truck development

Toyota A-BAT hybrid pickup truck concept

Diesel hybrids and more

Toyota’s Hino Motors has developed a new hybrid drive for light duty trucks that can increase the fuel economy of diesel trucks by 50 percent according to internal studies.

Are a new flock of Toyota hybrid pickup trucks around the corner? Read more…

Toyota Supra hybrid on deck?

The FT-HS hybrid at NAIAS

Toyota seeks trademark on Supra name

Back when Toyota debuted the FT-HS hybrid at the North American Auto Show in 2007, company reps were pretty sure this hybrid sports car would go into production as the new Supra, and over the next couple years such a hybrid seemed a done deal.

Then the economy tanked and so did plans for this hybrid. Now, the Supra is back. Read more…