Toyota will offer more hybrid choices to its customers, as it begins to introduce plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles in model year 2012, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in 2015.
Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., will stage the world premiere of the Prius family of vehicles at a press conference at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit this January, the company said today.
In addition to the current third-generation Prius and Prius Plug-in vehicle (PHV), the first all-new addition to the Prius Family, with 50% more cargo room will debut along with another Prius concept vehicle. The cars are badged as Toyota’s, with Prius becoming a sub-brand much like the Scion line.
A Prius Family Sneak Peak commercial with X Games champion skateboarder Bob Burnquist is available at YouTube.com/Toyota.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
