Toyota has been the leader in the auto industry for being green since it came out with its well-known hybrid Prius. This car began being sold in the Japan market back in 1997, and was later introduced into the worldwide market in 2001.
At the company’s success in this gas-saving car, Toyota has recognized a need in the public and a niche in themselves that will take the automaker to the next level of the future in saving gas and the environment.
One Million
Toyota recently announced that the Prius just reached over a million cars sold worldwide. This is a great victory in the battle against emissions and also the battle of high gas costs. And even though this car is sold all over the world, it sells best in Japan and North America.
Toyota has used the Prius to make familiar the hybrid idea with the public. It will now be applying this technology to other vehicles as well. They hope to see even more hybrids being sold in 2010.
What Next?
Toyota has plans to launch a new version of the Prius. This kind will actually have the plug-in option. They hope to have this out on the market by 2010, with a more developed lithium battery. Toyota has teamed up with a company that produces Panasonic products to make such a battery.
These cars will be offered for lease at first and will be able to be charged at home, right in your own driveway or garage.
The automaker is also working on a fuel cell vehicle that will not need gas. This will give the company an extra edge in fighting pollution and the need of gasoline.
Their Factories
Toyota is taking it a step further in reducing emissions by looking at their own factory plants even closer. They plan to create new ways to reduce emissions, in making their emission reducing vehicles, through ways like solar power. They also will be planting more trees to offset any pollution they do make.
The Future
It is good to see an automaker making sense when it comes to producing vehicles. They are looking at the big picture and continuing the need for better and more efficient vehicles, as well as efficient ways of manufacturing them. They are the wave of the future, starting today.
