Some sad news on the new car front. Automotive News (subscription required) is reporting that Toyota is making some changes to its long term plans thanks to the high cost of gas. The company sees this as a permanent change, with prices firmly pegged at $5.00 or more by 2015. Also, the Big T intends to make offer hybrid powertrains in all of its models.
First, despite the presence of a hybrid powertrain in the FT-HS concept (pictured), which many predicted would be the next Supra, a revival of Toyota’s halo sports coupe has been killed before it even was even reborn. Instead, Toyota will focus its sports car efforts on the AE86’s spiritual successor, a lightweight RWD coupe developed jointly with Subaru. The Lexus LF-A will come in on the high end, leaving a huge sports car gap in between. Guess that’s better than nothing.
Also on death row is the only retro-styled vehicle in Toyota’s lineup, the FJ Cruiser. The current generation will be put out to pasture and allowed to live out its remaining days, but there will be no next-generation SUV based on the FJ40 Land Cruiser.
In other news, Toyota’s zombie march towards world domination ensures that we’ll never be left wanting for of sedans, SUVs and crossovers.
[Automotive News via Autoblog]
That’s quite ok….it’s more fun rebuilding the old ones anyway 😀
Why am I not surprised?
At least the Toyota Corporation is thinking about producing rear wheel drive vehicles. But like Kev said is more fun rebuilding the old ones.