It seems like an obvious nexus of interests: people who favor carrying capacity over flashy looks or sporty performance & people who want to save money on gas. So why aren’t there hybrid minivans (like the Toyota Estima) available in the U.S.? Why weren’t minivans one of the first hybrid models available?
They are not currently any hybrid minivans available in the US, but you should see some pop up in 2007. According to a site I found:" 2007 Toyota Sienna Hybrid Minivan:
A larger version of Estima is Sienna marketed in US and Europe by Toyota. Sienna hybrid will be the first hybrid minivan available in US market. The exact date for the launch is not specified by Toyota but it is most likely going to be introduced in 2007. 2007 Toyota Sienna hybrid minivan will have 2.4 liter, four-cylinder engine. The hybrid engine will be very likely similar to Highlander or Lexus hybrid suvs. The engine will deliver 270 hp of power and will come with an acceleration of 0-60 km/hour in 8 seconds."
Another site posted yet more info on when we could expect to see some hybrid minivans cruising the streets of the US: http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%7BC4C67715%2D44D6%2D4C79%2D8197%2D7DB87025EE60%7D&source=blq%2Fyhoo&dist=yhoo&siteid=yhoo
Just hang in there! They’re coming soon!
I think Honda makes one. Not sure about that though. You can check their web site to find out.
References :
They are not currently any hybrid minivans available in the US, but you should see some pop up in 2007. According to a site I found:" 2007 Toyota Sienna Hybrid Minivan:
A larger version of Estima is Sienna marketed in US and Europe by Toyota. Sienna hybrid will be the first hybrid minivan available in US market. The exact date for the launch is not specified by Toyota but it is most likely going to be introduced in 2007. 2007 Toyota Sienna Hybrid Minivan will have 2.4 liter, four-cylinder engine. The hybrid engine will be very likely similar to Highlander or Lexus Hybrid SUVs. The engine will deliver 270 hp of power and will come with an acceleration of 0-60 km/hour in 8 seconds."
Another site posted yet more info on when we could expect to see some hybrid minivans cruising the streets of the US: http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%7BC4C67715%2D44D6%2D4C79%2D8197%2D7DB87025EE60%7D&source=blq%2Fyhoo&dist=yhoo&siteid=yhoo
Just hang in there! They’re coming soon!
References :
http://auto.viaden.com/?p=19
They are not high profit margin so they will not be sold in large numbers until they are. But they would be nice to help accommodate the needs of the US market. Too bad the big 3 don’t provide us with hybrids like the Japanese car makers do for Japan.
References :