Toyota Developing Two New Hybrids and Plug-Ins Too!

Washington DC June 12, 2008; The AIADA newsletter reported that Toyota Motor Corp. yesterday fired a fresh volley in the green car wars, promising two new hybrid vehicles and the start of lithium ion battery production next year.

The two hybrids – one badged a Toyota, the other a Lexus – will debut at the Detroit auto show and come on top of the third-generation Prius car, also due in 2009.

Toyota didn't give further details about the upcoming vehicles. But Masatami Takimoto, executive vice president in charge of R&D, said the Toyota will be larger than the Prius. "It's a totally new car," Takimoto told Automotive News.

For the redesigned Prius, Toyota will stick with the current generation's nickel-metal hydride batteries.

The long-awaited lithium ion batteries, light in weight and high in power, will debut in Toyota's first plug-in hybrid, due in 2010, he said. Toyota also discussed its long-term battery plans.

Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe said he already is thinking beyond lithium. To that end, the automaker is setting up a battery research department this month to develop a post-lithium ion battery with even better performance, he said.