Toyota has always been on the cutting edge of producing environmentally-friendly and fuel efficient vehicles. It looks like the Toyota Hybrid will someday...

Toyota has always been on the cutting edge of producing environmentally-friendly and fuel efficient vehicles. It looks like the Toyota Hybrid will someday be surpassed in its efficiency with a Toyota vehicle that is fueled by the sun.

According to a Japanese newspaper late last week, Toyota is now in the process of designing an electric car that will draw a portion of its power via solar cells. The vehicle will be able to be recharged from electricity generated from home solar panels, as well. The hope is that, eventually, Toyota will be able to develop a vehicle that runs entirely on solar power.

Toyota, we know uses solar power at its production plant in Tsutsumi in Japan. In addition, Panasonic, which makes batteries for Toyota hybrids, is buying Sanyo, which is a leader in solar technology. This puts Toyota in a truly unique position to really utilize the latest in solar power technology.

While it will be several years before a solar-powered car is released, this news does bring hope to people concerned with the environment. It may be that, one day, cars will run entirely on the fuel provided to them by the rays of the sun.

While none of the car manufacturers have been immune to the economic woes as of late, Toyota is looking to its ecologically friendly cars, like the Toyota...

While none of the car manufacturers have been immune to the economic woes as of late, Toyota is looking to its ecologically friendly cars, like the Toyota Hybrids, to ease their economic woes. Toyota recently opened a new factory to manufacture the batteries used in Toyota's hybrids a month ahead of schedule.

This is just one example of the way that Toyota is working hard to get the next generation of hybrid cars and electric cars developed and onto the market.

One of the responses Toyota has had to the financial crisis is to set up a special team aimed specifically at cutting the cost of the production of small cars. Small cars like the Yaris, while they generate smaller profits for the company, are ripe for cost cutting measures.

In contrast, Toyota suspended its production of vehicles at its large vehicle plant in Texas for a short time during the month of August, in response to falling markets.

Whatever lies ahead for Toyota, one thing is clear: small, fuel efficient vehicles that are good for the environment will continue to make the top of Toyota’s list of priorities.

As you get ready to party down tonight, think about how the year has gone. It might be a depressing thought that may have you reaching for the bottle sooner...

As you get ready to party down tonight, think about how the year has gone. It might be a depressing thought that may have you reaching for the bottle sooner than later, but it is important to take a look back and see how the world looks. The story of the year was the economy and as we round the corner into 2009, we're looking at problems in the automotive industry. 

There are many reasons to be excited about the coming year, however, and Toyota hybrid technology is one of those reasons. With a focus on going green and staying small, Toyota is the perfect company for 2009. Its focus is on producing vehicles that make a difference, with smooth features and great products, this is a company on the rise for certain.

So as you reflect on the year and look ahead to 2009, Happy New Year. The economy may look scary now and car companies may be looking grim. If you're a dealer or a salesperson or a mechanic, you may be living in fear of your job. But with companies like Toyota working hard in the field to change things, you may find that 2009 is one of the best years yet.