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Toyota Sienna Hybrid
If Japan markets the Toyota Sienna Hybrid in US, it will be the first hybrid Minivan to be offered to American consumers who want a hybrid but need the extra passenger or storage capacity. Projection is sometime in 2007, however nothing has been confirmed. This vehicle will be a larger version of the current Toyota Estima Hybrid manufactured and sold in Japan since 2001.
The introduction of a hybrid minivan will give the consumer another vehicle type to choose from. Where the Estima has a 2.4 liter, four-cylinder engine, the Sienna Hybrid engine size will likely be closer to the Highlander and the Lexus 400h making this minivan capable of carrying up to 7 passengers for those vehicle owners that need the extra passenger or storage capacity while offering better fuel economy.
Toyota is the front-runner in the hybrid technology market with the Prius being in production in US since 2000 and the Highlander in 2005, with Camry and Lexus 400h following a year later.
One concern with releasing the Sienna hybrid version is the direct competition with the already best selling gas based Sienna.
Pricing
No price estimates have been released
Photos
External Links
http://www.hybridcars.com/toyota-sienna-minivan-hybrid.html http://www.hybridcenter.org/hybrid-timeline.html
