Toyota Hybrid Technology in a Tacoma?
Toyota announced a partnership with Ford to come up with hybrid technology that can be used in full-sized pickup trucks. Though at the moment, both Toyota and Ford are looking to put the technology in their Tundra and F-150 full-sized pickups respectively, the technology could almost certainly be used in the Tacoma.
A rumor is spreading that if Ford and Toyota develop a full-size Hybrid truck engine, the Tacoma isn't far behind.
With fuel regulations set to get tighter in 2025, Toyota is leaping to an early start on finding ways to make trucks more efficient. Both companies said they agreed to have something ready by the end of the decade, but Toyota seems to be aiming to have something available even sooner.
Even though Toyota does not have a full line of large pickups or even SUVs, the sales and production of the F-150 is so large that it warrants this type of research and development all by itself. This partnership between the two big automakers is mostly likely in response to Chevy preparing to debut new pickups in 2014, which are rumored to have some kind of hybrid platform as well.
Toyota is certainly a strong contender with a good reputation in the hybrid technology sector, with their Prius being almost alone in the market in terms of sales. There is no doubt that a similar effect could be seen in Tacoma sales if that popular light pickup were to have a hybrid version as well.
The real question is, how much will it cost and when can we buy one?
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