Webs’ Random Ideas

Toyota has a new hybrid they’re showcasing at the Detroit Auto Show (and hopefully the Chicago one too as I am going to go to it ). It’s called the A-Bat Hybrid Compact Pickup Truck Concept and has some friggin cool features…

A rigid center console houses a portable power pack that offers both AC and DC for a wide variety of applications including powering tools, electrical gear while camping, a laptop computer, small appliances or assisting a vehicle jump start.

Inside the A-BAT has a retractable portable navigation unit with a seven-inch diagonal screen and Wi-Fi internet. Other advanced features include a port for portable device assistant synchronization and a hard drive for digital music.

That last part really sounds geeky and cool! And I was just talking with a friend yesterday about the lack of integration of MP3 capabilities in cars and car stereos. The other idea here that interests me about this is Toyota’s idea of integrating cool technology with Hybrids. It’s a smart way of getting people that wouldn’t care about Hybrids or the environment interested. I know of people that buy Prius’ because they are cool and geeky and not really for the eco-friendly technology or designs.

Which is what more auto manufacturers should be doing, showing the cool side of being eco-friendly…