Although sources within Toyota revealed last year that the Japanese automaker was moving forward with a production version of the A-BAT Concept, the compact pickup truck has been put on hold indefinitely. The A-BAT has been moved to the backburner in light of Toyota’s tightening financial situation.
Though the A-BAT project has not been completely cancelled, Toyota will not be moving forward with the program anytime soon. “We have a lot of top priorities right now, and A-BAT isn’t one of them,†Bob Carter, head of Toyota Motor Sales USA, told PickupTrucks.com. “The market has changed dramatically over the last 12 months.â€
Like Honda ’ Ridgeline, the A-BAT was to be car-based rather than truck-based. Powertrains would have included four-cylinders as well as hybrids.
However, Toyota is facing its second-straight year of financial losses, which has the Japanese automaker more concerned with keeping the ship afloat rather than coming out with niche-market products – no matter how fuel-efficient.
