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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Toyota Working on Mass-Market Solar Car

Company believed to be trying to build first mass-market car running soley on sunshine

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(Newser) – Toyota is trying to leapfrog rivals by developing a mass-market solar-powered car on the sly. The futuristic vehicle will get power from solar cells in the rooftop, providing enough energy to power only its accessories initially, reports Hybrid Cars News. The company is thought to be years away from creating a fully solar-powered car, notes the Japanese daily Nikkei.

The global slump has caused Toyota to lose money for the first time in 70 years, but executives say the hard times won't force it to cut back into research on green vehicles. Any Toyota plans for cars that run on sunshine are expected to get a boost when Panasonic, its partner in battery production, completes its takeover of solar panel pioneer Sanyo.

A solar panel is shown on the roof of Fisker Karma, a luxury plug-in car, at the North American International Auto Show Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008, in Detroit.
A solar panel is shown on the roof of Fisker Karma, a luxury plug-in car, at the North American International Auto Show Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008, in Detroit.   (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
Ivy crawls on the walls of Toyota Motor Corp.'s solar-powered Tsutsumi plant in Toyota city, central Japan, Wednesday, July 2, 2008.
Ivy crawls on the walls of Toyota Motor Corp.'s solar-powered Tsutsumi plant in Toyota city, central Japan, Wednesday, July 2, 2008.   (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
A Toyota vehicle believed to be in development will get power from solar cells on its rooftop.
A Toyota vehicle believed to be in development will get power from solar cells on its rooftop.   (Flickr)
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3 comments
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veloslug
Jan 2, 09 9:02 AM CST
Shouldn't they be taking their cues from the Big 3 and plan a new line of muscle cars or SUVs? Reply
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Mr.C
Jan 2, 09 9:56 PM CST
HAHAHAHHA - right after they follow the others and get a few billion bucks for running a business into the ground
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riffran
Jan 2, 09 9:26 PM CST
hell yeah! bring back the chevy 350, with a holley 4 barrel...yeeeeeehaaa just kidding...a solar car..good idea, but not ready tech wise yet....lol Reply
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