Toyota overall has posted strong US market share gains, and with a solid line up of fuel-efficient smaller cars, is a step ahead of US automakers in capacity.
They are moving production capacity to the US to cut transportation/import costs and become more compe ive.
Toyota is, in essence, almost becoming the fourth major car US manufacturer, and less of a foreign import.
Toyota's Hybrid system doesn't work on heavy vehicles - one reason the Tahoe hybrid system has been touted so much by GM. What I don't understand at all is why Toyota doesn't make a hybrid version of the RAV4. It's lighter and smaller than the Highlander - the hybrid fuel efficiency numbers would be outstanding.
I have a friend who is GM of a large Toyota dealer here, and he was recently running through a list of upcoming models for release in Australia soon in converation with me.
A hybrid RAV4 was one of those upcoming models.
Toyota's next gen hybrid system will probably be more effective in such applications. That the nice thing about the technology finally being out there in decent numbers - both they and Honda are making improvements every few years that significantly enhance mileage and breadth of application.
or you'll end up stuck in iraq
We just bought an 08 Rav4 a couple of months ago...and I'm getting about 23 mpg, which isn't horrible at all for a "mini suv". How much do you think they could get out of it the Rav 4 went Hybrid?
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