The Toyota Prius has had the market for itself, as a niche hybrid model, since it was released. Yes, some other automakers did try to challenge it with similar models, but the most recent one to fail to upset it was the now-defunct Honda Insight.
Now, Reuters tells us the Blue Oval is prepping a Prius rival for a possible 2018 release. The model, which is reportedly going to be built “just outside Detroit,” at the Wayne assembly plant, will not be a variation of an existing model, but a ground-up dedicated hybrid.
It will share some tech with current Ford hybrids, its underpinnings with the next-gen Focus, but since it is set to go up against the next-gen Prius (due sometime next year), they’d better make efforts to make advances in the meantime. A new Chevy Volt will have also been released by 2018, as well as Hyundai’s dedicated entry, as well.
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