Toyota Delays Introduction Of New Hybrids Options

[Bakemono]

http://www.nyse.com/interface/jsp/NHDetail...isdowjones=true

Toyota Motor Corp. is delaying release of new models of hybrid cars because of safety concerns with new lithium-ion battery technology, according to a media report Wednesday.


Toyota's ™ release of a new Prius using lithium-ion batteries, originally scheduled for late 2008, has been pushed back to early 2009, and the car will now include a traditional nickel-metal-hydride battery, The Wall Street Journal reported in its online edition, citing unnamed people familiar with the company.


The first Toyota hybrids with lithium-ion batteries are now not expected to be released in the U.S. until 2011, the report said.


Toyota hybrid cars currently use nickel-metal-hydride battery technology, the Journal said.


Toyota had been counting on the new lithium-ion technology to make its hybrid cars, already known for high gas mileage, even more fuel-efficient.

IMO, this is a very smart move on Toyota's part. As great as the lithium-ion battery technology sounds, its better to dealy the introduction of the new hybrids and make sure they are safe cars than to rush them to market and potentially have a huge safety recall.
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[cassiem0221]

I agree and I am sure they are considering the costs that would be incurred from a recall that large. It would be just a certain few cars that had to be recalled, they would most likely have to recall EVERY ONE!

[onmountain]

I have been reading things about the Hybrid Sienna, which I keep reading is to be out in "2007". Well, I can't see it coming this year. Anyone seen anything on it? My 2000 Sienna is getting old and I want to have a hybrid as a minivan, so my wife doesn't trade with me for the Prius (IMG:style_emoticons/default/s10.gif)