nowadays, more and more people will be focus on the global warming, Vehicle will be one the most importment reason. hybrids could be an option for resolve this issue. i think toyota will be touch this aim, but he still have many things need to do. for me the high price and a not cheap maintenance costs will be stop my setp for looking a hybrids.

Shortly after the turn of the decade, Toyota expects sales of its hybrid vehicles to crest the one million unit per year mark. ToMoCo’s goal may seem a bit ambitious considering that it’s only sold about 1.25 million hybrids since the Prius’ introduction in 1997, but the alternative-power push will mainly be fueled by sales of upcoming plug-in hybrid models and Toyota’s aim to equip every vehicle in its lineup with a hybrid drivetrain by 2020.

Testing of the plug-in version of the Prius is about to begin in the U.S., Europe and Japan, equipped with a fancy-schmancy lithium-ion battery that’s being developed by Toyota and Panasonic EV Energy Co. Sales should start around 2010, assuming that all is well with the power-pack, and we’re expecting even more Synergy-Drive models to bow during the upcoming 2008 show season.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Six hybrid electric vehicles models made either by joint venture automakers or local Chinese automakers will be sold in Chinese market next year, Chinese newspaper reported.

1. Honda’s Civic hybrid vehicle will be imported to Chinese market by the end of this year and it will be priced at $22,000-$25,000. The vehicle is powered by 1.3 Liter i-VETC engine and IMA, electromotor, nickel-hydrogen battery, and power control unit. The maximum output and torque of this vehicle is equivalent to that of a 1.8 liter gasoline engine.

Experts say the vehicle can run 31 kilometers on one liter gas and that it consumes half as much gasoline as a conventional 1.8 liter vehicle does.

Honda’s joint venture Dongfeng Honda is also planning to locally produce Honda Civic Hybrid which is similar to the imported hybrid in China next year. So for, Honda has sold more than 100,000 Civic Hybrid vehicles worldwide.

2. General Motors chairman Wagoner announced in Beijing earlier this month his companywill start local production of Chevrolet brand hybrid vehicle in China next year. The vehicle is developed by the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center, a joint research facility between General Motors and Shanghai Automotive. Shanghai GM did not release estimated prices for this vehicle, but Wagoner said it should not be too expensive.

The vehicle is powered by a 2.4 liter straight-four engine. The vehicle’s maximum output is 125kw/6400rpm, maximum torque is 225Nm/48000rpm and maximum velocity is 210km/h.

3. BYD’s F6DM will be the first iron battery powered vehicle throughout the world. The dual mode vehicle, priced at $20,000, will hit Chinese market next year. The vehicle can run as long as 430 kilometers after recharging (100 kilometers on electricity-powered mode and 330 kilometers on hybrid mode). The output of this vehicle is 200 KW and maximum velocity is 160 km/hour; it consumes 15 KWH to run 100 kilometers.

The first Hybrid vehicle that entered Chinese market is Toyota Prius, which started production in Changchun-based FAW-Toyota at the end of 2005. But the sales of this hybrid vehicle are abysmally small.

In the first nine months this year, Toyota Prius sold only 283 units in China. Experts say disappointing sales of Toyota Prius is a result of its prices. It is too expensive and China has not yet offered substantial policy incentives to hybrid vehicle manufacturers and customers.

Toyota’s Prius has been the perennial hybrid player for a few years now and Honda thinks it’s about time to provide it with some competition. Honda has big plans for its next generation hybrid, with annual worldwide sales expected to be in the neighborhood of 200,000 – half of which are destined to find homes in the garages of North American consumers.

Unlike the Civic Hybrid which has put a very small dent in the Prius’ success, the new model will only be available with a hybrid system and is rumored to take its styling cues from the FCX fuel-cell vehicle set to begin production next year. This new model will be joined by another hybrid based off the CR-Z concept that debuted in Tokyo.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]