Toyota Set to Launch 10 New Hybrid Models by 2010

Toyota, not to be outdone by Honda unveiled the third-generation Prius and Lexus' first dedicated hybrid the HS 250h at the Detroit Auto Show this week.

During the unveiling of the 2010 Prius, Toyota provided more details about its current hybrid plans. Toyota plans on selling 1 million hybrids per year sometime in 2010. In order to reach its lofty goal, Toyota is planning on introducing 10 new hybrid models by 2010. Two of them are the new Prius and HS 250h.

In addition to launching 10 new hybrids, Toyota also announced the introduction of 500 Prius plug-in hybrids that will be globally leased later this year. The plan was originally planned for 2010. Out of the 500 lithium-ion powered plug-ins 150 are destined for the U.S.

The 500 plug-in Prius will be used for market and engineering analysis.

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Production Chevy Volt to be Officially Unveiled in Less than Two Weeks

Last week we saw our first glimpses of the production version of the Chevy Volt on the set of Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen. GM has released a few teaser photos, but the grainy pics from last week were much better...Now to coincide with GM's 100th anniversary, GM is going to officially unveil their most highly anticipated new model.

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Ford Fusion Hybrid Gets Fuel Economy Rating Of 43.8 MPG In Jalopnik Road Test [2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid]

Yesterday, Jalopnik achieved a fuel economy rating of 43.8 MPG in a road test of the new Ford Fusion hybrid, out-greening Ford's engineers and our furry little hype-filled friend from AutoBlogGreen.

Like AutoBlogGreen, we too had a chance to drive the Ford Fusion hybrid around town in a silly little "fuel economy challenge."

Despite driving the Fusion hybrid on a hillier route and in heavier traffic than our friends at AutoBlogGreen earlier this week, we still had one advantage they didn't: lower weight. We think that, in addition to our Zen-like communion with the earth, tipped the scales in our favor.

But it wasn’t just boring automotive journalists that we bested, our 43.8 MPG average was even better than Ford hybrid applications manager Gil Portalatin’s same-route 43.5 MPG benchmark.

Ford claims the Fusion Hybrid is capable of “at least 39 MPG City/37 MPG highway.” The fact that we managed to best those figures while driving in heavy Los Angeles traffic (passing through Beverly Hills and Hollywood) illustrates the degree to which driving style can effect fuel economy. The Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Fusion's chief competitor, is officially rated at 33 MPG city/34 MPG highway.

Check back on Saturday at 12:01 EST to read our 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Test Drive.

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Detroit Auto Show: Toyota A-Bat Concept… a Copy of a Copy?

One thing you can say about Toyota in the past year is they have really stepped out there with the concepts they have introduced. With the new A-Bat compact truck concept that Toyota is bringing to the Big Show in Detroit in a couple weeks some may be saying Toyota has stepped a bit too far out there. Toyota says that the side profile of the A-Bat is based off the lines of the Prius, but some obvious gene sampling may have taken place from the Honda Ridgeline and the Chevy Avalanche to birth this compact truck concept. The A-Bat is so… something that it is almost difficult to talk about it.

 The A-Bat is designed to be powered by one of Toyota’s hybrid engines to keep both the fuel consumption and emissions low. This is Toyota’s way of appealing to the work computer who wants to ride in from the suburbs in style(?), yet still wants to be able to pick up a load of plywood on his way back home. (more…)

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