Plug-In Forum

Late in 2011, Toyota Motor Corp will launch a hybrid sub-compact and broaden its hybrid car line-up. The car will be available for 1.5 million yen or $15,760. Government tax breaks, subsidies on cleaner cars, and an increasing demand for gasoline-electric vehicles have promoted EVs in Japan big time. According to news reports, Toyota plans to produce the new hybrid model in France as well, to cater to the Europe market.

According to a Japanese newspaper, Asahi Shimbun, the new hybrid-only compact by Toyota will use the platform and engine of the Yaris sub-compact, and is likely to be remodeled before the launch of the new hybrid car. This car will feature a more fuel-efficient and cost-competitive hybrid system than the one found in the Prius.

Popular automakers, Honda Motor Company and Toyota, have reduced prices on their premier hybrid cars recently. The price of Toyota’s Prius has been lowered to 2.05 million yen and that of Honda’s Insight has been lowered to 1.89 million yen.

The month of April listed Honda’s Insight, the first hybrid car, on top of the best selling cars list. However, in May, Toyota’s Prius, a remodeled car, replaced Insight, and became the No.1 hybrid car in the market.

The Toyota hybrid, which is yet to be launched, would be a tough contender to some of the upcoming small hybrid cars like the Honda’s Fit Compact and the Honda CR-Z Hybrid. It has been reported by The Daily that the automaker is likely to raise its daily production target in Japan. This will increase production to about 13,500 units in September and around 13,700 in October.

Hyundai had planned to reveal a subcompact version of the Accent, which was going to be a hybrid version. However, now it plans to launch the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, which is a mid-size car in 2011. The all-new electric cars from automakers such as Ford, Nissan, and Mitsubishi are likely to be smaller, compact cars.

Why they are bringing in sub

Toyota and Honda have introduced sub-compact hybrid models to bring in a change from most hybrid cars (which were mostly SUVs) in the last couple of years. These SUV hybrids are more fuel-efficient (15 to 20 percent more than its counterparts). However, the mpg of these models ranges from the late teens to the early twenties.

The new subcompact hybrids are likely to be marked high in the fuel economy rankings, possibly at the 50 mpg mark or higher. Moreover, its price is slated to be comparatively lower than the price of current hybrid cars. These small or compact hybrid cars will certainly follow strict carbon emission standards as well, making them more energy efficient.

If the past is any predictor, car enthusiasts and organizations such as CalCars will begin upgrading these new hybrids into plug-in models as soon as they are released.

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