Toyota racing ahead of the competition

CARS - While there are lots of hybrids out there available, there's only one manufacturer who is actually known for them: Toyota.

And for anyone who is still a naysayer of hybrid technology here is some interesting facts for you:

Toyota is now the biggest car manufacturer in the world, surpassing former giant General Motors.

Toyota is the biggest producer of alternative energy automobiles (including hybrids, electrics and hydrogen fuel cell).

The Toyota Prius was the best-selling vehicle in Japan in 2009.

Other manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, General Motors) are essentially copying whatever Toyota is doing in order to try and keep up and stay competitive, but the fact remains that Toyota is years ahead of the competition in terms of Research & Development.

Above on the right is the Toyota FT-CG compact car, which is 22 inches shorter than a Prius but still seats 5 people. They've done it by making the engine / components more compact and making trunk space more vertical. As such the car saves on weight which makes it more economical. It will also be cheaper so the cash-strapped younger generation will be more likely to buy it.