Toyota indicates obligation to address global warming

[Eric Nothman]

In this Detroit Free Press article Jim Press (Toyota's U.S. president) states the auto industry has an obligation to address global warming. Also, he states Toyota is "aggressively pursuing" plug in hybrids.

Link=> http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...467/1148/AUTO01

[pewd]

>Domestic manufacturers are expected to testify about the harm of dramatically increasing fuel economy

Huh? Harm to what, their profit margins?

[Tideland Prius]

lol.. talk about schiznophrenia (did I spell that correctly?)

"Domestic manufacturers are expected to testify about the harm of dramatically increasing fuel economy, but emphasize that they are committed to alternatives and reducing the nation's reliance on foreign oil."

[Earthling]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Mar 17 2007, 03:09 PM) [snapback]407504[/snapback]</div>

"Domestic manufacturers are expected to testify about the harm of dramatically increasing fuel economy, but emphasize that they are committed to alternatives and reducing the nation's reliance on foreign oil."
[/b]

Translation: We make our biggest profits on SUV's and large pickup trucks, and have no intention of doing anything that would interfere with that. Who cares about the Earth? It's not a part of our business model, and we only care about short-term prospects.

In contrast, Toyota says:

"Toyota has long been mindful of and accepts the broad scientific consensus that climate change is occurring and will continue unless there are significant and coordinated global efforts to slow the growth of man-made greenhouse gas emissions," Press's testimony says. Toyota is "committed to continued action to address climate change by increasing the fuel efficiency of our products."

Who would you rather buy your car from, one of the big 3, who could care less about the planet, or Toyota?

Harry

[Godiva]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Earthling @ Mar 17 2007, 03:26 PM) [snapback]407522[/snapback]</div>

Translation: We make our biggest profits on SUV's and large pickup trucks, and have no intention of doing anything that would interfere with that. Who cares about the Earth? It's not a part of our business model, and we only care about short-term prospects.
[/b]

More like: We will give lipservice to the media and make empty tokens of compliance but in practice will make no changes whatsoever and fight to maintain the status quo.

[Washington1788]

I guess if Toyota didn't believe in the global warming boogyman then we wouldn't have these nice Priuses to drive around.

If there is a market to sell plug in cars, then I say go for it Toyota.

[Godiva]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Washington1788 @ Mar 17 2007, 10:33 PM) [snapback]407698[/snapback]</div>

I guess if Toyota didn't believe in the global warming boogyman then we wouldn't have these nice Priuses to drive around.

If there is a market to sell plug in cars, then I say go for it Toyota.
[/b]

The kind of planning that results in the Prius has to be long term. Toyota is looking 10, 20, 50 years down the road. The Big 3 are looking at the end of the quarter and the end of the fiscal year.

There wasn't a market when they started developing the Prius. They were gambling that by the time they started producing them there would be.

When they roll out those plug-ins, there will be a market for them.

When they roll out those EVs.....

[Tideland Prius]

Indeed. Keep in mind that it was the early 90s when they started the project to build a 21st century car. Remember that there was economic boom in the early 90s but Toyota was thinking 10 years ahead with a compact car (b/c of traffic congestion) that's fuel efficient (b/c of gas 'shortage'), low on emission (b/c pollution will be of concern) and fun to drive.

[TonyPSchaefer]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Mar 17 2007, 03:09 PM) [snapback]407504[/snapback]</div>

"Domestic manufacturers are expected to testify about the harm of dramatically increasing fuel economy, but emphasize that they are committed to alternatives and reducing the nation's reliance on foreign oil."[/b]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Earthling @ Mar 17 2007, 03:26 PM) [snapback]407522[/snapback]</div>

"Toyota has long been mindful of and accepts the broad scientific consensus that climate change is occurring and will continue unless there are significant and coordinated global efforts to slow the growth of man-made greenhouse gas emissions," Press's testimony says. Toyota is "committed to continued action to address climate change by increasing the fuel efficiency of our products."[/b]

Translation: Toyota set to overtake GM in 2007

[Tideland Prius]

LOL