Toyota decides the Chevy Volt is too dangerous
By Matt Jansen
Until now, Toyota has been skeptical of plug-in hybrids like the Chevy Volt, publicly questioning the viability of the technology. Not anymore. It turns out that Toyota is building its very own battery plant in Japan to supply power for upcoming hybrid vehicles. That makes GM’s hyper-fast schedule to release the Chevy Volt by 2010 look like a solid decision.
Toyota is working with the company that creates Panasonic electronics to build its battery plant in central Japan. For now, “the plant will produce nickel-metal hydride batteries, now in the company’s hit Prius hybrid,” according to the Detroit News.
Though more details are still forthcoming, it looks as though Toyota is looking to tightly control and influence the development of future batteries by participating in the venture so closely.
Conversely, GM is looking for outside partners to manufacture batteries for its upcoming Chevy Volt.
GM has also taken a different approach to design with the Chevy Volt hybrid. It’s emphasized a sleek and muscled appearance while the Prius adopted a more delicate, slight look. That said, the Chevy Volt’s prototype design is going to change but GM has promised it will still look like the Volt unmistakably.
Rebecca Lindland, an industry research director at Global Insight, said hybrids are increasingly attractive in the U.S., which had in the past favored pickups and other gas guzzlers, as fuel prices surge, environmental concerns grow and tougher emission standards kick in.
“Hybrids are starting to make a lot more economic sense,” she said at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Tokyo, noting that the payback for a hybrid’s higher price comes a lot faster these days.
Why Toyota may consider the Chevy Volt to be dangerous: the Volt continues to build momentum through buzz online and in response Toyota is stepping up its own viral marketing efforts by talking about its hybrid initiatives. That implies Toyota is concerned that the Chevy Volt may have the potential to steal marketshare (dangerous). and wants to protect the green mantle it created with the Prius.
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May 23rd, 2008
Please explain the article’s title, which has nothing to do with the article.
Apparently this blog is rather slow to keep up with the current developments of the Volt. CEO Wagoner yesterday reportedly told the German press that he expects the Volt to come in under
$30,000 and be available ant the BEGINNING of 2010, rather than at the end, as previously planned. This article’s author also seems ignorant of th recent Volt battery testing results. I would advise you all to not publish articles which are clearly out of date and also to find a writer who is up to speed on the technology. This is embarrassing.
May 23rd, 2008
See yesterday’s post for info on the pricing you’re referring to Jerry: http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%20/2008/05/22/chevy-volt-for-30000-fans-swoon-at-the-thought/
May 24th, 2008
who the hell keeps putting stories up on this site about the Volt ?
Seriously, is it the same fanboy writing this stuff everyday, the car is cool…yes, but damn i dont want to keep hearing about it everyday on this site,
Its gone completly overboard,
Please stop posting stories about the damn volt for awhile, am i the only crazy one here, noticing this ?
May 24th, 2008
I really have my doubts on whether they are going to be able to get this done for 30k. Further, what does Toyota have to prove?? They have already demonstrated they have what it takes to be a marketplace leader with the first Prius.
That being said, I think there is a bunch more going on with the Volt everyone should be aware of, stay on top of the detail by checking out http://www.chevy-volt.net