In Shanghai, Toyota’s managing officer Mr. Koei Saga said that Toyota is planning to produce a hybrid version of the RAV4 SUV, which is due for MY2013. Although no exact dates were given, Toyota plans to introduce 10 new hybrids globally by 2012.
Mr. Saga also added: “I believe Toyota needs to accelerate the 2020 goal to hybridise all the Toyota models.”
The RAV4 hybrid would use Toyota’s third-generation hybrid system. Toyota RAV4 SUV was introduced first in 1996 and during 1997-2003 it was also produced as an electric vehicle. Around 1,500 RAV4 EVs were ever produced. The vehicle had a range of 100 miles and a top speed of 80 mph.
Oddly, most were destroyed but 328 examples made it to customers. At the time they were priced from $42,000. Nowadays, the RAV4 EV can be picked up from $65,000.