Comments on: Toyota Commits to Mass Production of Plug-in Hybrids http://gm-volt.com/2009/07/04/toyota-commits-to-mass-production-of-plug-in-hybrids/ Real-time news, information, and discussion about the Chevrolet Volt. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:07:32 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Frank Sherosky http://gm-volt.com/2009/07/04/toyota-commits-to-mass-production-of-plug-in-hybrids/#comment-125075 Frank Sherosky Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:57:38 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1741#comment-125075 I suspect Toyota might have messed up by avoliding and criticizing the plug-ins for so long, much like Lutz avoiding Hybrids when he first arrived on GM's scene. Where Toyota was ahead of GM, now they might be behind, at least for a while. Furthermore, I challenge Mr. Robinson what wrote "Toyota has the best fuel cell prototype car in existence." I drove the GM Hydrogen Fuel Cell in an Equinox last summer. The experience was awesome! Perhaps that's why there has been a changing of the guard at Toyota HQ in Japan. Nice to see them on the ropes for a change, albeit their cash on hand will get them through. http://www.examiner.com/x-3721-Detroit-Automotive-Technology-Examiner I suspect Toyota might have messed up by avoliding and criticizing the plug-ins for so long, much like Lutz avoiding Hybrids when he first arrived on GM’s scene. Where Toyota was ahead of GM, now they might be behind, at least for a while.

Furthermore, I challenge Mr. Robinson what wrote “Toyota has the best fuel cell prototype car in existence.” I drove the GM Hydrogen Fuel Cell in an Equinox last summer. The experience was awesome!

Perhaps that’s why there has been a changing of the guard at Toyota HQ in Japan. Nice to see them on the ropes for a change, albeit their cash on hand will get them through.
http://www.examiner.com/x-3721-Detroit-Automotive-Technology-Examiner

]]> By: CS Guy http://gm-volt.com/2009/07/04/toyota-commits-to-mass-production-of-plug-in-hybrids/#comment-124671 CS Guy Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:46:39 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1741#comment-124671 Main related page: http://www.altairnano.com/profiles/investor/fullpage.asp?f=1&BzID=546&to=cp&Nav=0&LangID=1&s=0&ID=10700 Press release from 2006: http://www.altairnano.com/profiles/investor/ResLibraryView.asp?BzID=546&ResLibraryID=17537&Category=856 Main related page:
http://www.altairnano.com/profiles/investor/fullpage.asp?f=1&BzID=546&to=cp&Nav=0&LangID=1&s=0&ID=10700

Press release from 2006:
http://www.altairnano.com/profiles/investor/ResLibraryView.asp?BzID=546&ResLibraryID=17537&Category=856

]]> By: CS Guy http://gm-volt.com/2009/07/04/toyota-commits-to-mass-production-of-plug-in-hybrids/#comment-124476 CS Guy Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:47:28 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1741#comment-124476 Dan/Arch, way to go you two. I'm hoping the climate bill keeps its provision outlawing HOA restrictions on solar, wind and geothermal. Right now our HOA will not allow any wind or solar hot water heating and only solar integrated into roofing tiles (way too expensive), no PV panels and certainly no solar thermal power generation. Dan/Arch, way to go you two. I’m hoping the climate bill keeps its provision outlawing HOA restrictions on solar, wind and geothermal. Right now our HOA will not allow any wind or solar hot water heating and only solar integrated into roofing tiles (way too expensive), no PV panels and certainly no solar thermal power generation.

]]> By: Bob G http://gm-volt.com/2009/07/04/toyota-commits-to-mass-production-of-plug-in-hybrids/#comment-124103 Bob G Mon, 06 Jul 2009 22:02:47 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1741#comment-124103 I also test drove the 2010 Fusion Hybrid and I agree with your comments. If you want a super-efficient car, but prefer a larger size and more comfort than the Prius, the Fusion Hybrid is worth a look. In my case, my wife is looking for more performance ... possibly a Camaro. I also test drove the 2010 Fusion Hybrid and I agree with your comments.

If you want a super-efficient car, but prefer a larger size and more comfort than the Prius, the Fusion Hybrid is worth a look.

In my case, my wife is looking for more performance … possibly a Camaro.

]]> By: Bob G http://gm-volt.com/2009/07/04/toyota-commits-to-mass-production-of-plug-in-hybrids/#comment-124102 Bob G Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:56:59 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1741#comment-124102 I can imagine the disappointment of all the people who will pay extra money for a plug-in Prius, only to discover that it burns gasoline whenever they aren't feathering the throttle on short trips at low speeds on ideal flat roads on a warm (but not hot) day. I can imagine the disappointment of all the people who will pay extra money for a plug-in Prius, only to discover that it burns gasoline whenever they aren’t feathering the throttle on short trips at low speeds on ideal flat roads on a warm (but not hot) day.

]]> By: DaveP http://gm-volt.com/2009/07/04/toyota-commits-to-mass-production-of-plug-in-hybrids/#comment-124075 DaveP Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:48:33 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1741#comment-124075 I have to comment on those flowers and birds on the side... but I'm totally speechless. I've never put car styling as a really high priority in cars, but I am not sure I could drive a car with that graphic on it... Yes, yes, I know it's just the demonstrator graphic and all, but still... I have to comment on those flowers and birds on the side… but I’m totally speechless. I’ve never put car styling as a really high priority in cars, but I am not sure I could drive a car with that graphic on it…

Yes, yes, I know it’s just the demonstrator graphic and all, but still…

]]> By: grat http://gm-volt.com/2009/07/04/toyota-commits-to-mass-production-of-plug-in-hybrids/#comment-124069 grat Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:21:15 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1741#comment-124069 Don't forget that the first 40 miles of a trip are combustion-free on the Volt, whether it's at highway speed or 5 miles per hour stop and start. The Prius on the other hand, stops the electric motor after what, 34 mph? Don’t forget that the first 40 miles of a trip are combustion-free on the Volt, whether it’s at highway speed or 5 miles per hour stop and start. The Prius on the other hand, stops the electric motor after what, 34 mph?

]]> By: grat http://gm-volt.com/2009/07/04/toyota-commits-to-mass-production-of-plug-in-hybrids/#comment-124067 grat Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:19:38 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1741#comment-124067 Toyota doesn't share your optimism. Toyota doesn’t share your optimism.

]]> By: grat http://gm-volt.com/2009/07/04/toyota-commits-to-mass-production-of-plug-in-hybrids/#comment-124066 grat Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:19:15 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1741#comment-124066 The study on the Hymotion converted Priuses suggests there won't be that much advantage to just throwing a bigger battery and better software into a Prius. To my knowledge, the HyMotion conversion doesn't change out MG1 or MG2, something that I would think would be required to get better efficiency out of the car. Otherwise, all you're doing is using house-current to "preload" the batteries-- You'll still need the ICE for any serious driving. The study on the Hymotion converted Priuses suggests there won’t be that much advantage to just throwing a bigger battery and better software into a Prius.

To my knowledge, the HyMotion conversion doesn’t change out MG1 or MG2, something that I would think would be required to get better efficiency out of the car.

Otherwise, all you’re doing is using house-current to “preload” the batteries– You’ll still need the ICE for any serious driving.

]]> By: Herm http://gm-volt.com/2009/07/04/toyota-commits-to-mass-production-of-plug-in-hybrids/#comment-124058 Herm Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:44:15 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1741#comment-124058 I think the all electric range will be much lower, closer to 10 miles.. but that will still save a tremendous amount of oil.. it also means that it may be a relatively cheap option. I think the all electric range will be much lower, closer to 10 miles.. but that will still save a tremendous amount of oil.. it also means that it may be a relatively cheap option.

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