Toyota to Make Yaris Hybrid to Compete with Low-Cost Honda Insight

Photo: ToyotaUpdate: Toyota Introduces the Yaris HSD Hybrid ConceptExpected to go on Sale in the U.S. and Japan by 2011Toyota has been saying for a while that it plans to make hybrid versions of most of its models, but Honda's recently released low-cost Insight hybrid has probably influenced Toyota in its decision to announce a hybrid version of the Yaris. Photo: Toyota

Via our friends at Jalopnik, we learn that Toyota chief engineer Akihiko Otsuka has told the Nikkei that "[Toyota is] going to compete by expanding its hybrid-vehicle lineup to smaller hybrids, in the class of the Vitz [sold in Japan] and Yaris."

This makes sense since the Honda Insight is based on the Fit. The main question is: Will Toyota be able to make a hybrid car that is as good as the Insight at a lower price? In any case, such competition can only be good for those looking for less expensive cars that have high MPG and low emissions (though of course there are many superior alternatives, such as walking, cycling, car-sharing, public transit, etc).

Via Jalopnik, CleantechMore Hybrid ArticlesFirst Real GM Volt Integration Vehicle Scheduled for June 1stGreen Car Slideshows Galore!The Fisker Karma and Karma S Plug-In Hybrid Luxury Cars (Slideshow)If you like this article, you can follow me on Twitter (@Michael_GR) and Stumbleupon (THMike). Thanks.