http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/15/t...-more-hybrids/

 

Good old CAFE ruining our choices. Who said that it wouldnt ruin what cars we want.

 

It has more to do with higher oil prices in the future than CAFE. FJ Cruiser is the Hummer of Toyota. Sales are dropping and so is the profit from cars like that. Toyota knows it is smarter to put development money in to what is hot instead of what is not.

 

I really, really doubt that the Supra was shelved because of CAFE. I mean, it'd be a drop in the bucket from a fleet economy standpoint - just as is the case for the Corvette, 370Z, and countless other niche vehicles.

The FJ Cruiser is probably missing its planned refresh because even with new sheetmetal, pseudo-rugged SUVs are about as popular as leprecy.

 

I'm also not buying the CAFE excuse. If they're focusing so hard on fuel efficient vehicles, why is the next Prius going to offer what looks to be only incremental improvements? And why is the Corolla bloated and behind the pack leader (Civic).

The one silver lining of the cloud hovering over the industry is that Toyota also seems to have been caught with its pants down. Now granted, it'll be a lot easier for Toyota to react given their oodles and oodles of cash on hand, but at least they aren't years ahead already.

 

Toyota doesnt have any exciting cars to speak off, and wont change in the foreseeable future. I cant think of a single Toyota that i want to drive.