24/09/2008 16:13. Many engineers view hybrids as a transitional technology because it costs more to equip cars with dual powertrains. Toyota and Honda Motor Co., the leading sellers of hybrids, say they have lowered the cost of the technology and are now spreading it across increased volumes.

Toyota officials have been studying plans to produce more hybrid vehicles under the Prius nameplate. "It makes sense when you have a product that's so iconic," said John Hanson, chief spokesman for environmental and safety technologies at Toyota. "It's something we have to look at," he said, but added that the company had not announced a decision.

Toyota will display its third-generation Prius car in Detroit early next year. The company announced on Tuesday that it would unveil a study at the Los Angeles auto show... // DetNews.com