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Sources: A-BAT A Go, Tundra Light-Duty Diesel Shelved
Toyota's future compact pickup is said to be based on the innovative A-BAT (Advanced Breakthrough Aero Truck) concept truck that debuted at the 2008 Detroit auto show. The A-BAT featured a footprint smaller than a Toyota RAV4 SUV, an expandable 4-foot cargo box and Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive.
Sources say two fuel-efficient powertrains will be offered in the truck at launch, including a gasoline-electric hybrid one and a four-cylinder gas-only version.
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Automotive News reports that Toyota execs acknowledge supplier bids have gone out for the new compact pickup but say the program could be killed if production cost estimates prove to be too high.
Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe also made news at the Detroit auto show when he told journalists a diesel-powered Tundra would be "offered in the near future." But the high price of diesel fuel, high costs necessary to meet federal emissions regulations and slowing Tundra sales are all said to have combined to cancel those plans at least for the time being.
Tundra sales volume through August 2008 was down 15 percent from last year.
