Toyota Unveils Green Car Concepts At Auto Shanghai Show

Toyota FT-HT Yuejia Concept - Shanghai Auto Show 2013

As China becomes a larger player on the world car market, shows like the one in Shanghai this week will become bigger and more important each year.

Toyota has already spotted the importance of the Shanghai Auto Show, launching two new green concepts.

The first of these is the uniquely-named Yundong Shuangqing II.

We're not sure what happened to the Yundong Shuangqing I, but Toyota informs us that Yundong is a term in Mandarin Chinese meaning "movement upon clouds", while Shuangqing means "dual support".

The former refers perhaps to the car's sleek styling, not unlike that of previous Toyota concepts such as the NS4 plug-in hybrid. Alternatively, it could point to the comfort and silence offered by the "dual support"--the car's hybrid powertrain.

The concept is unique to China and its hybrid powertrain is currently under development at the company's R&D center in Changshu.

Next up is the Toyota FT-HT Yuejia. This name, in Mandarin Chinese, means "happy family", and points to the vehicle's six-seater layout.

It's designed, says Toyota, to appeal "to young Chinese customers". Like the Yundong Shuangqing II it uses a hybrid powertrain, but the styling is much less conventional.

Its doors open in a scissor motion on huge hinges, revealing a cabin with no central pillar--an increasingly common feature of modern concept cars. There are three rows of two individual seats, and light-colored, luxurious trimmings abound. Once again, the concept is exclusive to China, and Toyota hints it will go into production in one form or another. Think of it as a more stylish alternative to the Prius V and you're on the right lines.

It's not surprising to see China pushing hybrid models in the Chinese market, as legislators become ever more worried about the country's terrible pollution problems.

While only a proportion of this comes from road transport, hybrids provide the most affordable solution to reducing emissions on city roads--and Toyota is sure to be at the forefront of hybrid sales.

Source: Green Car Reports