Blog Archive
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2009
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February
(180)
- Event Alert: March Calendar of Automotive Events
- More on TAC Motors' Stark raving awesome Brazilian...
- First Drive: 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid and G...
- Geneva Debut: Sportec SPR1 M with 858hp
- Geneva Preview: Porsche Cayenne Diesel gets the Te...
- Glow in Dark Car
- Report: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-class convertible unv...
- New rules do not halt F1 innovation
- Mercedes-Benz Extends G-Class Production Until 2015
- Button agrees to slash 2009 retainer
- Ferrari 248 F1 Picture
- TechArt Porsche 997 Facelift Program for 2009 4S C...
- Geneva preview:TechArt Magnum based on Cayenne Turbo
- More Details and Images for Perana Z
- Geneva Debut: 2009 Renault Megane Sport Tourer...
- AC Schnitzer BMW 7-Series F01/F02 Program for Gene...
- Geneva Debut Alpina B7
- Melbourne International Motor Show: Ford Territory...
- New Holden Cruze Debut in Melbourne
- Bentley Increases UK Prices
- Geneva Motor Show: Pagani Zonda F Cinque
- Smart fortwo edition limited three
- Geneva 2009: I.DE.A ERA
- Fifth Gear wrings out Ford’s new 300 HP Focus RS i...
- Raikkonen friends with Guns N' Roses rocker
- BMW and MotorSport Vision Join to Offer Driving Ex...
- Bentley Continental Supersports with 630hp Breaks ...
- Geneva World Premiere: Rinspeed E2 Pre-Release
- Gronholm in shock rally return
- Fisker accepting orders for Karma S hard-top conve...
- Mercedes-McLaren SLR Renovatio
- Top 5 Motoring Days Out in the UK
- Melbourne Motor Show: FPV F6 E Concept
- Hyundai Equus to be offered in bulletproof spec
- Retroforza gives Mazda Miata a Ferrari complex
- Hybrids take priority over performance for Toyota ...
- Subaru Justy 1.0 Twin Cam
- 2010 Alfa Romeo Milano Spy Photos
- Tramontana R-Edition More Photos and Details
- Cool James Bond Cars
- 9 Cool Movie Cars
- Alfa Romeo Competizione
- Spy Photos: Mercedes GL Facelift Winter Testing
- Aston Martin Completes Another Round of Testing in...
- Melbourne 2009: Toyota HC-CV (Hybrid Camry Concept...
- Video: 2010 Audi A5/S5 Cabrio in Depth
- Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG Edition IWC display at the ...
- Nissan to shift Versa/Tiida production from Japan ...
- Mercedes Math: S550 + CL550 = CS500?
- New Teaser of Tesla Model S surfaces, our friend J...
- Video: Mercedes E-Class Coupe Promotional
- Rendered Speculation: Corvette Stingray C7.R
- Firestarter: Scorpion Motorsport unveils Prodigy t...
- Audi TT RS official pics, details hit the web
- Dallas 2009: The base Camaro... with steelies!
- Giugiaro Frazer Nash - world’s fastest hybrid
- Jaguar 2010 XF and XK lineup Pricing Announced
- 2009 Lamborghini Academy program
- BMW X1 Gets Stuck in Snow Bank
- Official photos: Alfa Romeo Mito GTA concept
- Geneva preview: Opel Ampera Spied Completely Uncov...
- Geneva Motor Show: Hyundai reveals three-door i20
- 2009 Corvette GT1 Championship Edition: Like A C6R...
- GM's LS9 crate motor costs more than most cars
- Mitsubishi makes Raider death official
- Richard Branson's Virgin Group interested in Honda...
- Honda FC Sport Design 2008
- Los Angeles Auto Show : Honda FC Sport 2008
- Honda City 2009, Driving Experience
- Brabus S V12 S Biturbo: 700 hp and 1320 Nm!
- Toyota iQ: bread tin with 5 star EuroNCAP
- 2009 Honda City Interior Design Picture
- Honda City 2009 Design, First Image
- The New Car 2009, Honda City
- Ferrari Recalls F430 Spider
- GM disbands unit that creates high-performance veh...
- Upcoming Alfa Milano, Giulia nameplates revealed.....
- Geneva Motor Show: 2009 Alfa Romeo 159 Model Previ...
- Geneva Debut: Rolls-Royce 200EX Concept aka RR4 Im...
- Geneva Motor Show: Ford Ranger pickup Debut
- Pagani Zonda R at Monza in Video
- Audi R15 TDI arrives early ahead of race debut
- British Minotaur ready to slay fellow supercars
- Saab 9-5 Spy Photos - 2nd Outing
- Mercedes-Benz G-Class EDITION30 Commemorates 30th ...
- 2009 Renault Megane RS first teaser image
- 'All banks' to exit F1 - Marc Surer
- Spy Photos: Peugeot 308 Mule Gets Stuck in Snow Bank
- 2011 Porsche Cayenne interior revealed Spy Photos
- Rumours tip Virgin as late Honda bidder
- Geneva Motor Show: New Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe...
- Honda strikes an Accord, may stay in F1 after all
- Hennessey Performance ready to tap 2010 Ford Tauru...
- Mysterious Hyundai sedan spotted undisguised Spy
- Fiat 500, Alfa Romeo 940 Reportedly Heading Stateside
- Audi is Western Europe’s Top Premium Brand
- Senna/Honda reports not true - report
- Lamborghini MurciƩlago LP650-4 Roadster
- Spy Photos: 2011 Chevrolet Tacuma
- The New Car : Buick LaCrosse 209 And Cadillac CTS ...
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February
(180)
Hybrids take priority over performance for Toyota in the U.S.
It wasn't that long ago that Toyota stood for more than just reliable, appliance-like transport. With roots that include the delectable 2000GT, the Celica all-trac and three generations of both the Supra and MR2, Toyota had – until recently – carved out a nice niche for itself populated by enthusiasts looking for something outside the performance mainstream.
What that means for the Subaru/Toyota FR coupe's future in the U.S. remains to be seen, but it's doubtful that we'll be seeing a Supra successor in the near term. Ideally – or maybe more appropriately, idealistically – we could hope for something the melds both performance and green technology, like a production version of the FT-HS coupe concept that debuted in Detroit two years ago. But judging by the tone of the industry, and Carter in particular, we doubt that Toyota is ready to make that kind of segment-defying leap just yet. Maybe it'll take a hit from Honda to change Toyota's tune.
But in the past six years, the Priusification of ToMoCo has created an automaker whose soul focus has shifted from creating compelling products to the automotive equivalent of Maytag or KitchenAid. According to Toyota Division General Manager Bob Carter, don't expect that concentration to change.
Carter told Automotive News that Toyota will put more of its efforts towards hybrid vehicles in the U.S., saying that Stateside consumers are more interested in "high-quality, fuel-efficient, low-impact-environment products." Carter went on to say that, "Personally, I would love to have a sporty car, but it is pretty clear what the market is looking for right now."
More Photos
Other article:
Melbourne 2009: Toyota HC-CV (Hybrid Camry Concept Vehicle)
2009 Toyota Aygo Facelift Revealed
Toyota Aygo Platinum Edition (UK)
Toyota has revised the Aygo for the UK market
Toyota iQ: bread tin with 5 star EuroNCAP
Labels:
Coupes,
Green cars,
Hybrid,
toyota