http://www.freep.com/article/20081223/BUSINESS01/81223038
Toyota's electric car smaller than Prius By BRENT SNAVELY • FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER • December 23, 2008 Toyota said today that a battery electric car concept that will debut at the 2009 North American International Auto show will be smaller than its Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle. "This is a pure electric vehicle," said Toyota spokeswoman Jana Hartline. "It's a concept we are bringing to the show basically to confirm our interest in electric vehicles." But while Toyota is planning two press conferences at the auto show, Hartline said it does not plan on holding a press conference to discuss the battery electric vehicle. Instead, it will simply be on display on the show floor. Toyota plans to hold two press conferences during the Detroit auto show: One for Lexus on Jan. 11 and another for Toyota on Jan. 12 where it will unveil its redesigned Toyota Prius. The automaker has said that the all-new Prius will feature a substantially revised hybrid powertrain system that will deliver improved mileage, improved performance and a host of innovative new features. Toyota also confirmed that Toyota Motor Corp. President Katsuaki Watanabe no longer plans to attend the auto show in Detroit. Watanabe has attended the auto show in Detroit for the past several years. Watanabe is no longer planning to attend "because of pressing needs, both financially and planning-wise, in Japan," Toyota spokesman Curt McCallister said in an e-mail. However, McCallister stressed that several executives from Toyota do plan to attend the show to answer media inquires. <end>
