What's Wrong With This Picture: Toyesla Synergy Drive Edition

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

Given Toyota’s dominance of the hybrid market, and its early skepticism about pure-electric vehicles, it’s safe to say that we didn’t expect this badge to show up anytime soon. But sure enough, Toyota’s new corporate EV badge will grace the firm’s RAV-4 EV concept, which debuts at this fall’s LA Auto Show. And it won’t be the most jarring image on that vehicle either…

Yes, the little Silicon Valley sportscar firm is now powering the first Li-ion (and potentially the first mass-market-ish) EV ever made by the most dominant automaker of the last several decades. Wrap you mind around that one.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Mercennarius Mercennarius on Nov 10, 2010

    Honestly I think Tesla is the last company i'd want to partner with to help build an EV if I was Toyota... Toyota would be better off borrowing Nissans technology or making their own...

  • ThriftyTechie ThriftyTechie on Nov 10, 2010

    Here we go, TTAC is going to unleash a tedious Toyota EV Birth watch which spans dozens of posts which will in retrospect be completely meaningless. Or do they only do features like that for GM?

  • Amwhalbi I have a sedan and an SUV, and for pure driving and riding enjoyment, I'll pick my sedan every time. But yes, SUV's are generally more practical for all around usage, particularly if you have only one vehicle. So I think the perfect answer is the sedan hatchback (a la the last Buick Regal) which can still yield the drive and ride or a sedan, yet provide a greater modicum of practical, accessible cargo capacity. Most of the sedans made could (with minor styling changes) easily become 4 door hatchbacks. Oh, yeah, I forgot - Americans don't like hatchbacks, even if they do in Europe...
  • NJRide This almost seems like a more boring version of what happened when the B-Bodies were euthanized to free up Arlington for full size SUVs. I believe the Kansas plant is going to be for the Bolt, a theoretically more in product. As I have said before I have no love for this Malibu but I do think GM should still offer some sedans. Since its becoming a niche product maybe Chevy could do something interesting like a smaller SS or something w retro cues
  • Kcflyer yes, preferably with normally aspirated V8's or inline 6's.
  • ScarecrowRepair Why do chicken coops have two doors?Because if they had four, they'd be chicken sedans.
  • NJRide Mitsu is grabbing some market share in lower income areas (I have been doing analysis for my dealer in North Central NJ). They probably need the budget and subprime angle for any relevance
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