Road Trip: 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Toyota's Mobile Hybrid Experience - Exclusive VIDEO Interview

Take a Road Trip with The Auto Channel to the 2007 Sacramento Auto Show for the latest stop on Toyota's Mobile Hybrid Experience Tour

Produced and edited by Marc J. Rauch

In this episode of ROAD TRIP Mark Fulmer rides with Mark Ulbrich, Road Team Spokesman, and gets the inside scoop on the new 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and hears the reasons for the tour and what Toyota hopes that they and the participants will learn from the events.

The tour began last January at the San Jose International Auto Show and will travel to more than 150 events throughout the country before it concludes in the Spring of 2008. Consumers have an opportunity to test Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system and learn about hybrid technology through a number of interactive educational exhibits and test drives.

EDITOR'S NOTE: After watching this video featuring the new 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, and reading the story below CLICK HERE to take another exclusive "Road Trip" with The Auto Channel in a 100 MPG Toyota Prius Plug-in.

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"Most people have heard of hybrid technology and probably have a vague idea of how it works, but few have actually driven a hybrid and or taken an up-close look at its operation," said Celeste Migliore, Toyota's National Manager, Advanced Technology Vehicles. "This tour allows consumers to learn more about the technology behind this system and the benefits of hybrid vehicles."

Highway to the Future: Mobile Hybrid Experience is designed to provide attendees with the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the Prius, Camry Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid to experience Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system for themselves. In addition to the on-road activities, the exhibits serve as a mobile museum to the environment and alternative fuels.

There are four distinct interactive learning areas within the exhibit. • "Alternative Fuels: Fueling the Future," identifies the differences in the various types of alternative fuels and how they are produced. • "Environment and Resources: Small Steps, Big Difference," shows attendees what they can do to make a difference to the environment. • "The Prius Driving Experience" simulates the current Hybrid Synergy Drive technology allowing visitors to interact with system while on-screen instructions offer driving tips. • "Hybrid Technology: Not All Hybrids are Created Equal" exhibit gives visitors a better understanding of the various hybrid technology options on the market and how hybrids benefit the consumer and the environment.

The hybrid experience offers more than just interesting educational activities. It is designed to minimize its own environmental impact. Toyota will plant more than 50,000 trees in honor of those visiting the experience in conjunction with the National Arbor Day Foundation. These trees will help offset the "carbon footprint" of the trucks transporting the tour across the country and will continue to have a positive impact on the environment for years to come.

Toyota's Highway to the Future: Mobile Hybrid Experience will travel to more than 150 events across the 48 contiguous states during the next 18 months. For more information about the tour please visit www.toyota.com/highway.