Is a Toyota RAV4 hybrid in the works?

Probably, yes, at least in China.

According to Koei Saga, Toyota's Managing Officer of Hybrid System Development, "Toyota needs to accelerate the 2020 goal to hybridize all the Toyota models." He also said that, quite specifically, Toyota plans to bring the RAV4 hybrid to the Chinese market "as soon as possible." Saga added that the company has yet to make a decision, but it would make sense to bring the line-up of vehicles to market sooner, given the increase in demand. And, of course, since there isn't currently a small SUV plug-in actually planned for production (hybridcars.com points out that the Saturn VUE plug-in has been delayed and may be scrapped by General Motors due to its ongoing financial uncertainty), the RAV4 hybrid would likely be quite popular...here in the United States.

Saga made his comment this week at an industry conference on "green" vehicles in Shanghai. Since then, speculation has run rampant, but Toyota has been mum: there haven't been any further comments or elaboration from Toyota media on any plans to ramp up their hybridization schedule.

Source: Dow Jones