Toyota Motor Corp. said Friday it has developed a simplified version of its hybrid system, which powers vehicles using both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.
The new type of hybrid system is less environmentally friendly than the conventional system but is cheaper to buy and is compatible with a variety of vehicles, Toyota said.
Toyota said it plans to install the simplified hybrid system in its Crown luxury sedan next year.
Toyota said the company is considering cooperating with Daihatsu Motor Co. and Hino Motors Ltd., both of which belong to the Toyota group, to use the new hybrid system in all classes of vehicles, from minivehicles to large vehicles.