Originally published February 21 2006
Toyota and other carmakers look to hybrid cars
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Toyota has added versions of the Lexus LS and Toyota Camry to the hybrid family. Nissan will debut its first hybrid (the Altima sedan) later this year. Honda has said the industry should strive for a zero-emission fuel cell vehicle.
Japan's top automaker has gained a reputation as a "green" company with its popular Prius and other gasoline-electric hybrids, and is keen to see the technology take off globally.
It hopes to do this with the addition of versions of the Lexus LS and Toyota Camry hybrids--the two brands' flagship sedans.
"It is clear today that hybrid technology has moved solidly into the mainstream, especially among consumers who are environmentally aware and want to make a difference for future generations," Don Esmond, senior vice president at Toyota Motor Sales USA, said at the Camry hybrid's launch at the North American International Auto Show here this week.
Rivals sought to tone down the hype, citing the high cost of the cars to manufacturers and consumers and claiming "inflated truths" about vastly improved mileage.
Nissan will bring out its first hybrid with the Altima sedan later this year, but says it was only because average fleet fuel economy regulations in California require it.
Ghosn repeated that Nissan, Japan's second-biggest automaker, will bring a diesel passenger vehicles to the United States.
Even Honda Motor, which introduced the first hybrid car to the United States with the two-seater Insight in 1999, is not ready to endorse hybrids as the future mainstream for green cars just yet.
Honda has said that zero-emission fuel-cell vehicles should be the ultimate goal for the industry, since supply of its power source, hydrogen, is inexhaustible.
Honda, Japan's third-ranked automaker by volume, also said it would offer diesel cars in the United States, following European brands such as Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen into the nascent segment.
The most vocal challenge against gasoline-electric hybrids came from Germany's DaimlerChrysler, which zealously supported diesel engines.
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