Toyota to showcase hybrid pickup truck

The Associated Press is reporting Toyota Motor Corp. plans to showcase a concept hybrid pickup truck that will feature improved fuel economy and lower emissions at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The A-BAT pickup truck will come with a Hybrid Synergy Drive, the company’s third-generation gas-electric hybrid powertrain technology. The four-passenger vehicle will feature a four-foot bed, while a translucent roof panel will slide open allowing for extra tall cargo to be placed in the cab. The driver and front passenger sides will have display screens that can present the status of various accessories and climate settings.