Toyota Testing Concept Powerboat

Japanese automaker Toyota is wrapping up testing of a concept 26-foot carbon fiber powerboat this month, and is considering putting the vessel into production for the 2017 model year.

Initially announced at the Japan International Boat Show held earlier this month in Yokohama, the boat – simply dubbed “Toyota-28” – features a hybrid fiberglass, carbon fiber and aluminum hull. This is a first for Toyota, which has sold a range of boats with welded aluminum hulls in Japan for many years.

The new model is also the first to be developed as part of Toyota’s new partnership with diesel engine manufacturer Yanmar. The two companies are said to have worked together on the project for more than two years.

Although no firm decisions have been officially announced, speculation is that the Toyota-28 will go into production in October. If it does, it could mark a stepping-stone for Toyota to begin exporting its marine products worldwide.