New Hybrids Coming From Honda and Lexus
Wednesday, July 18th, 2007
There’s no denying that hybrid cars, SUVs and trucks are hot these days. Environmental concern, the rising price of fuel and the image associated with a hybrid have helped to shift these fuel misers to the top of many peoples’ shopping lists more quickly than most initially expected, not to mention the advancement of associated technologies. New battery technologies plus the advancement of the plug-in hybrids also helped to spur interest. And just when many brands have started to offer hybrid versions of vehicles that were previously just gasoline powered, such as the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid and Chrysler Aspen Two-Mode Hybrid joining the already popular Ford Escape Hybrid and Camry Hybrid, the market has signaled a return of the hybrid vehicle in its most original form. The first hybrids, the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, were dedicated designs, offered only as hybrids, allowing their owners immediately noticeable green credentials. Now, Toyota’s subsidiary Lexus, and Honda have begun work on bringing this type of vehicle back.