.
Toyota Sienna Hybrid
When Japan introduces the Toyota Sienna Hybrid in US, it will be the first hybrid minivan to be offered to the North American market 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 the hybrid minivan will give the consumer another vehicle type to choose from. Where the Estima Hybrid has a 2.4 liter, four-cylinder engine, the Sienna Hybrid engine size will likely be closer to the Highlander Hybrid or the Lexus 400h Hybrid, making this minivan a capable vehicle for carrying up to 7 passengers or extra storage capacity while offering better fuel economy.
Toyota is the front-runner in the hybrid technology market with the Prius being available in US since 2000 and the Highlander in 2005, with the 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 yet been released.
Photos
External Links
http://www.hybridcars.com/toyota-sienna-minivan-hybrid.html http://www.hybridcenter.org/hybrid-timeline.html
