Toyota Kicks Off Leasing for Its New Fuel-Cell Hybrid

TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today that on September 1 it will begin leasing its new fuel cell hybrid vehicle model, the "TOYOTA FCHV-adv*", to Japan's Ministry of the Environment.

The lease term for Toyota's FCHV-adv is for 30 months and costs ¥840,000 per month, the equivalent of $7,713, the automaker noted.

Toyota said the leasing program for its five-passenger advanced fuel-cell hybrid will allow it to "obtain real-world feedback for further development, including efforts to improve the durability and reduce the cost of its proprietary high-performance polymer electrolyte fuel cell, the Toyota FC Stack." The automaker said the leasing program with the government is "aimed at helping to bring about the widespread use of fuel-cell vehicles."

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Whelan - 9/2/2008 2:38:58 PM

0 Boost

So for $7k a month you can lease a last generation Highlander in Japan that is fuel-cell.

COME ON automakers, this is a joke right? Honda is leasing the Clarity for like $600 a month?? I realize you save on gas and all, but if you want a real world comparison, price them as if they were on the lots today. They have been working on the technology for so long I am so disappointed to see them taking such baby steps given they will all be in a struggle when the 35mpg regiment is put down. You would think they would do more than continue to work on fuel cell and hydrogen when it works, it's been proven, obstacles surmounted. They complain about the infrastructure? Well take your billions you make each year and start developing an infrastructure. If the oil companies won't answer the call, then do it yourself.

I would rather pull up to a GM, or Honda fillup station in ten years than a Mobil.

chewy - 9/2/2008 6:22:53 PM

+1 Boost

this is the difference between the real price of a fuel cell car versus the fake price that Honda is charging a few celebreties.

Basically hydrogen fuel cell technology is not even close to being a reality.

IhavearedS2000 - 9/2/2008 3:21:57 PM

+2 Boost

That $600 for the FCX also includes insurance (for a very expensive car), but I pretty much agree with you...

Peyton18 - 9/2/2008 3:41:09 PM

+2 Boost

This is just how new technology is...remember LCD monitors? $1000 for a 15 inch? Now its practically impossible to find a 15 inch and I got 2 22 inch dell LCDs for $200 a piece last week.

Its just the hot new thing, and supply and demand. The demand is very great, and supply is low so they go to the highest bidder. These are businesses, not charities.

As for the benefit? If nothing else its good for the planet and one less car depending on saudi arabia's oil.

Good enough for me!

91z4me - 9/2/2008 5:04:35 PM

+1 Boost

Wow I wonder if people will jump on Toyota for leasing this high tech, non-profitable car instead of selling it outright.

BigShow50 - 9/2/2008 5:21:34 PM

-2 Boost

Proof is in the pudding...Toyota's fuel cell technology is far more advanced than Honda's Fuel cell, by almost 1 to 2 generations ahead of the game...as the saying goes "you get what you pay for!!!"...LMAO!!!

91z4me - 9/2/2008 5:56:06 PM

+1 Boost

Show proof that it is more advanced. After you define what makes something more advanced.

As you said the proof is in the pudding.