Toyota A-BAT Concept will go into production

Toyota unveiled the A-BAT Concept in January at the Detroit Auto Show. And shortly after it was rumored the concept will see production. Now it seems that the company is a step closer to producing the audaciously styled A-BAT concept pickup truck: "This is a common next step in evaluating cost parameters on promising concepts, but it does not imply a commitment to it yet," said a senior Toyota executive.

Supplier queries were sent for both a four-cylinder and hybrid-powered version of the truck, said Mike Levine.

Although the platform architecture is still unknown, the A-BAT would be car-based, rather than use a body-on-frame structure.