Toyota's 2007 A-BAT concept.
It’s no secret that Toyota will be expanding their Prius model line to include a five door minivan (the Prius V) and, eventually, a compact hatchback based on the Prius C shown at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. In the “truth is stranger than fiction” category, Pickup Trucks.com is reporting that Toyota could revive their A-BAT concept and stuff a hybrid drivetrain under the hood. The A-BAT (for Advanced Breakthrough Aero Truck) was shown at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show, and featured a lightweight unibody construction and hybrid power train. It was quite a bit smaller than the current Toyota Tacoma, so the A-BAT would revive a long dormant segment of the truck world: the subcompact pickup truck.
Don’t start haunting your Toyota dealer just yet, as the speculation is based on a comment from Bob Carter, Toyota’s Group VP and general manager. When asked if a pickup could join the Prius family in the future, Carter was vaguely ambiguous in saying, “It’s not off the table, but nothing is decided at this point.” To clarify his statement, Carter added, “The pickup truck has been very volatile over the past few years. We’re trying to understand what pickup truck consumers are going to want in the future. Right now with the Tacoma in the compact truck market, we have nearly a 45 percent market share. The consumer says for that truck market that they still want a rugged body-on-frame.”
Given that Ford has abandoned the declining compact truck market in the United States, I’d be surprised if Toyota spent the R&D money necessary to create a compact, hybrid pickup. Truck buyers want capabilities that hybrids simply don’t provide, and hybrids aren’t designed for the kind of punishment truck owners dish out. Is it possible? I suppose, but I’d call it as likely as Lamborghini building an electric urban commuter.
Also, don’t forget that you can get discounted new car pricing with a free quote through qualified local dealer partners.
Source: Pickup Trucks
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
