Toyota’s Honda Ridgeline-esque A-BAT concept may have not been the most visually pleasing pickup truck ever conceived, but a new report indicates that Toyota is strongly considering moving forward with the car-based truck.
According to Automotive News, Toyota has asked suppliers to prepare bids for producing a road-going version of the A-BAT concept. Although not quite the green light, the step does show that Toyota is serious about getting the A-BAT to market.
It remains unclear exactly what platform the A-BAT would ride on, but the truck would definitely be car-based. Some industry experts are even predicting that the A-BAT could ride on a platform derived from the Toyota Camry and the upcoming third-generation Toyota Prius. Suppliers have also been instructed to price out the A-BAT with both four-cylinder and hybrid drivetrains.
Toyota is clearly trying to bringing the A-BAT to market, but the final decision will be based on the almighty dollar. If the bids reveal that it will be impossible for Toyota to turn a profit on the car-based truck, the A-BAT will never see the light of day. However, if the bids reveal that Toyota will at least break even on the A-BAT, the truck will likely be green lighted to help Toyota avoid costly CAFE fines that are looming in the not-so-distant future.
09/22, 12:49 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
We already know that it will be another unreliable, poorly built POS like the rest of Toyotas lineup.
09/22, 1:05 PM
posted by:
shaver
Should make it size of the original BRAT. Dont forget the death wish seats in the bed. Hell, base it on the rumored Toy/Subi sport coupe platform.
09/22, 2:14 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
Need more oil for GM, are you Lutz’s gardener and he throws you another five spot each month to shill on the LLN forums?
09/22, 3:36 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
2nd shaver’s remark. Don’t let it get porky like the Pantyliner and the Sport Trak, neither of which offer any significant benefit in economy over a real truck.
09/22, 4:00 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3, try being a little more patriotic. What’s good for General Motors is good for America. If you don;t like it, move to Japan or something
09/22, 4:05 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
It’s a Toyota, it will sell…. so why fight it, I will not buy one, unless the Supra come back, but other wise let them make what ever they what, good on gas or bad on gas people don’t care for them it’s all the same. I say GOOD LUCK to Toyota and for them to remember, the bigger you are the harder you fall…..
09/22, 4:37 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
Need more oil for GM, it is better to weed-out the idiotic like you to better the great USA. There must be some undiscovered island somewhere on Earth where you can safely reside—we’ll send you on your way with the GM vehicle of your choice. Patriotism is for indoctrinated fools who have little else to believe in life. Using that old, tired tag line of ” What’s good for General Motors is good for America,” only highlights in today’s world how both the US and GM are screwed if that is the case.
09/22, 8:10 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
I’m not a big fan of Toyota, but I disagree with you Need more oil for GM. My parents have had 2 prvious Toyotas and 4 Lexus’s and they are probably some of the most reliable vehicles out there. I still don’t like them though for some reason.
09/22, 8:22 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
Most important question of all… what the hell is A-BAT supposed to mean? The first weapon your local hoodlum will beat this truck with? What you wanna jam up Toyotas ass when their designers drop the soap?
09/22, 9:14 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Don’t playa-hate
Appreciate!
A Honda Ridgeline if it was was smaller, good-looking, and hybrid-powered
Sweet!
DrFill
09/23, 12:31 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
JayC, you read my mind.
I was thinking, “Who the hell would call their truck A-BAT? Is it supposed to mean, “A – Bad @$$ed Truck”? Because if it is, they really need to look more closely at the name.”
Does it fly? Does it have sonar? Does it suck the blood of sheep? Will we see it swinging over home plate? Will we hide it under our beds and pull it out when we hear noises downstairs?
It’s ALMOST as bad as “Cruze”…
09/23, 4:13 PM
posted by:
RTT10
what is it with fusing cars and trucks together… oh yes need more oil for gm **** YOU AGAIN// we all know u talk **** about gm so u can a get a free saturn sky to fit all ur gay friends in