Toyota US to Rely on Hybrids More Than Ever

US version of Toyota Prius

Still under the strong pressure of the economic recession, the world's number one automaker Toyota confirmed today that it plans to rely more on hybrid models in the United States, as collapsing sales push customers towards low-consumption models. Toyota Division General Manager Bob Carter told Autonews at the Chicago Auto Show that the North American division will turn hybrid development into its main task, with several new models expected to go on sale in two to three years.

"It is just a reprioritization of where we think the customer is today and where the customer is going to be 24 and 36 months from now," Toyota's official was quote as saying by Autonews.

In addition, sport and high performance cars are no longer a priority for the Japanese auto manufacturer, Carter said, citing the current market demand as the reason. Just like we know, Toyota said Americans are now turning their eyes to less-polluting and fuel-efficient models, detrimental to high-performance models that are usually powered by large-displacement engines with the tinniest interest in fuel-economy. In this context, developing a sport car doesn't make sense, Carter explained.

"Personally I would love to have a sporty car, but it is pretty clear what the market is looking for right now," he told the aforementioned source. Most people today want "high-quality, fuel-efficient, low-impact-environment products," Carter added.

Toyota showcases this week at the 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show no less than three hybrids, which do nothing more than to confirm the company's plans to rely on this kind of vehicles. For those of you who missed the news, Toyota displays in Australia the Australian Version of Hybrid Camry Concept the futuristic 1/X prototype and the third-generation Prius.