What is it?
A hybrid we might actually want. Somewhat cooler than the rather earnest Prius this Yaris-sized FT-CH concept is a hint to a future sub-Prius model aimed at younger, less affluent buyers. With Toyota USA publicly proclaiming at the
Detroit show that it'll introduce eight new hybrid models in the coming years this could be the entry-point in the range.
Why's it here?
America loves hybrids almost as much as it likes a good cheeseburger, side of fries and a bucket-sized, sugary, tasty beverage. The Prius has sold in phenomenal numbers in the USA, green-minded drivers in the USA loving the petrol/electric hybrid machine. That's despite it not being that cheap - the Prius is expensive against its conventional competitors. A smaller, less costly sub-Prius like this FT-CH hybrid could be the perfect way to get even more people into hybrids. Toyota aims to sell over a million electrically assisted machines annually within the next few years.
Show stopper or floor filler?
This one's something of a show stopper. It's not often we get excited about hybrids but we make an exception here. It demonstrates something of a change in the American consumers' attitude too, smaller, greener cars being accepted as normal. Sure, it's just a concept for now, but we'd be amazed if Toyota - or perhaps Scion - dealers in the USA weren't taking orders for something very similar to the FT-CH in the next few years.
Kyle Fortune - 11 Jan 2010