A Million Toyota Hybrids in 2011? Why Are We Not Surprised?
By John O'Dell January 19, 2010
Toyota watchers in Japan say the automaker plans to double its global hybrid production to one million models next year as part of its effort to stay well out in front of the pack in the growing gas- and diesel-electric vehicle market.
Toyota FT-CH hybrid concept gives clues as to design language for an expanded family of Toyota and Lexus hybrids over the next few years.
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The report, carried by Reuters news service, is based on an uncorroborated article in Japan's Nikkei business news report, although Reuters quotes a Japanese market analyst saying that the numbers are in line with his own predictions.
Why not?
Toyota has made no secret of its intent to remain the world's hybrid leader, and to boost production to at least a million a year.
The news here is that the company may intend to hit that total so quickly - it is expected to report total global hybrid production for 2009 of around 500,000 cars, minivans and SUVs.
But it took the company 10 years - from 1997 to 2007 - to sell its first 1 million hybrids and only two more years to sell a million more, so a million a year may not be such a big stretch, especially as Toyota is expanding the number of hybrid manufacturing plants it operates.
The drive is not only competitive but to ensure that Toyota maintains its reputation for fuel efficiency as governments around the world increase demands for more fuel efficient vehicles and lower vehicle emissions. In the U.S. for example, the Obama Administration has required automakers to field vehicle fleets that average 35.5 miles per gallon fuel efficiency by 2016.
In the U.S., Toyota already sells the Prius - the world's most popular hybrid - and hybrid versions of the Camry, Highlander SUV and Lexus RX 400 crossover and HS 250, GS 450 sedan and LS 600 L long wheel-base luxury sedan.
It has announced plans to launch a compact hybrid for the U.S. market next year and says it will add eight new hybrid models globally in the next few years, along with a plug-in (rechargeable) Prius hybrid and an all-electric city car in 2012 and a fuel;-cell electric vehicle by 2015.
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