Reports say that Toyota plans to make its first European-produced hybrid car with the Auris model. Production could start from 2012, when the Auris hatchback is due for a full remodelling.

This would make it the third hybrid model in the Toyota range after the Prius, and the Camry (in the US) adding a further option to Toyota’s environmental offering. In the Asia Pacific region, Toyota has previously said that it would introduce a number of hybrid models, among which the Auris (Corolla in that market) would be included.

The Auris has been successful car for Toyota in the European market, being the third best sold in the range in the first five months of this year, after the Yaris and Aygo Light Car models.

New Toyota president Akio Toyoda has said that Toyota will take a new direction in the future, modifying its strategy to be a full-line manufacturer in all regions. One part of the strategy will be to focus on the hybrid model offering in Europe.

Source | Car Advice via Reuters

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There is a joke running around the internet about what computers would be like if they were made by GM and what cars would be if Microsoft built them. Joke or not, the fact is both machines are getting closer every day. Now it is possible to access the internet in the dashboard of an automobile. Cars still keep an advantage: computers do not transport anyone around. But what would happen if cars were built in the “open source” way, as computer programs? Well, this is what EDAG aims to find out with Light Car - Open Source.

This amazing concept car is built with new materials. Its structure is made of ASA.TEC fibre, a basalt fibre that costs and weighs less than aluminum and carbon fibre, while is also fully recyclable and holds almost the same strength properties. The body is mostly made of glass and Makrolon, a sort of plastic that is at the same time resistant and transparent.

This transparent body allows EDAG to showcase another technology: (O)LED, or organic light-emitting diodes. They are well over this transparent body and help the car have headlights and taillights that are fully configurable. In other words, if you choose to have your headlights in the middle of the hood, that’s fine. Traditional settings are also acceptable.

Continue reading: EDAG will present "open source" car in Geneva, the Light Car

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