Toyota makes Wired.com's Wired 40 with the Prius

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.06/w...ed40&topic_set=

Wired.com's Wired 40: "They are masters of innovation, technology, and strategic vision - 40 companies driving the global economy."

Because of the Prius, Toyota this year makes it onto the list. Honda was kicked off this year. Honda was on last year's list.

18. Toyota Motor (new)
LEAN, GREEN DRIVING MACHINE
Any doubt that Toyota owns the hybrid-car market vanished in February when, as 1 billion TV viewers worldwide watched, stars like Sting, Jack Black, and Charlize Theron pulled up to the Oscars in (the envelope, please) a Prius. Honda also makes hybrids, and GM and Ford will roll theirs out this year (the latter using Toyota's tech). But with the Prius, Toyota has already captured the hearts of the eco crowd - and made other automakers green with envy. The company, which mass-produced the first part-electric, part-gas powered vehicles in 1997, will boost Prius production by a third this year and transplant its hybrid technology to its Highlander line and the Lexus brand starting this fall. Toyota's innovation extends to assembly lines: Although its plants have been regarded as the industry's most efficient for decades, it recently upgraded them to standardize factory equipment and processes. Now it's studying every component to squeeze out remaining inefficiencies.There's no stopping a company that won't stop improving.
Done: Toyota overtook Ford to become the world's second-biggest automaker in 2003, selling nearly 7 million vehicles.
To do: Why does green have to be a dirty word? Toyota's challenge is to sell Middle America on fuel economy.