Upcoming speech by GM CEO to outline Toyota-beating strategy
Filed under: Hybrid, GM, Toyota
We'll be keeping an eye out for GM CEO Rick Wagoner's upcoming speech which was announced this week. The speech will be on GM's strategy to beat Toyota at developing and selling green cars. A source in the know from GM told Bloomberg News that Wagoner will deliver a speech before the end of the year on how GM will use some of the $9 billion it saved by cutting costs and eliminating jobs over the past few quarters to produce cars and trucks that match Toyota's offerings in technology and fuel efficiency. These steps include plug-in hybrids, more efficient ICEs, hydrogen fuel cells vehicles and more. Doesn't there seem to be a bit of desperation in leaking that GM's big strategy is to match what Toyota is doing? GM isn't even going to try and beat Toyota, just catch up? All right, GM, do it your way. You should know what you're doing. After all, you are losing millions each quarter.
[Source: Bloomberg News / Jeff Green via Detroit News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-06-2006 @ 1:32PM
Arnie said...
What the hell is wrong with you Sebastian?? What would you have said if GM had declared that they would become greener than Toyota in the near future? Not credible I reckon - from a near bankrupt company that manufactures crappy gas guzzlers. Right? GM is trying to mend their ways. It should be celebrated rather than ridiculed by pompous upstarts like you!
I seriously think AB Green needs a little overhaul, just like GM.
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11-06-2006 @ 2:57PM
George Krpan said...
GM is soon to come out with it's Two-Mode Hybrid Transmission.
Coupled with their cylinder deactivation system it's supposed to increase mileage on full size SUV's by 25 percent.
Unlike other hybrid systems there is no limitation on towing.
It must be pretty good technology because BMW and Mercedes partnered with GM on it's development for automobiles. The designed was patented by GM in 1999 and is used in buses.
It is first to appear in a Saturn SUV in 2007 at only a $2000 premium.
I think it's wise for GM to target larger vehicles first. They are still the best sellers and a 25 percent fuel savings in them represents far more fuel saved than the relatively low volume of Prius sold.
Maybe Toyota will be buying these transmissions from GM for their numerous gas guzzling models that somehow avoid the media scutiny/prejudice.
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11-06-2006 @ 3:00PM
loikll said...
Is there some place I can go to please bet my life savings that GM will abjectly fail to do whatever they commit to do here?
I already spent the money I won betting against Ford's hybrid pledge on whiskey and hookers.
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11-06-2006 @ 5:04PM
Sebastian said...
Arnie,
I agree that I'd be skeptical if GM said they would be greener than Toyota any time soon. But what's wrong with that skepticism? GM has made bad decision after bad decision on the green car side of things, and it seems like they're (at least conceptually) setting themselves up for another bit of failure by aiming only for what Toyota has now. Granted, if they matched Toyota, it'd be a lot better than where they're at today, but I'd like to see a little more enthusiasm from GM to lead the way. If all the car companies were falling over each other to build the greenest cars possible (which is pretty damn green), we'd have a lot of cool, zero-emission (or close to it) cars on the roads already. As it is, most are resisting taking the lead, or even trying.
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11-06-2006 @ 7:12PM
George Krpan said...
How about betting your computer?
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11-07-2006 @ 12:01AM
john1701a said...
> It is first to appear in a Saturn SUV in 2007 at only a $2000 premium.
No, that is the "Green Line" design, which is just a low-end assist system. It doesn't provide any smog-related emission reduction either. (Vue-Hybrid is only LEV rating.)
The "Two-Mode" design will be the full hybrid, which will be quite a bit more expensive. In fact, with an additional PSD and 3 integrated clutches not in the Toyota/Lexus design, price is expected to be higher than the competition.
JOHN
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11-17-2006 @ 10:10AM
medhat said...
Please note that i bought a Toyota Yaris Car in Egypt in Sept21st 2006 for my wife,who started driving it on Nov 1st. After 15 days which leaves us on Nov 16th, she was driving it & suddenly smoke came out of the front engine with a very nasty smell that of rubber.
after which she parked the car immedietly & called Toyota maintance which never answered. As her husband she called me & I had to drive to the Toyota maitance center to ask for a truck to haul the car to the Toyota Egypt agency.
I was told that the clutch had burned out due to her pressing on the clutch all the way which is funny with a lady who had a 20 years driving experience & previoulsy owned 4 or 5 more cars with no similar complains with any of the previous cars.
I was told that the guarentee doesnt cover this defect & they charged me 1003 EGP, which is approximetly 180 dollars.
I am extremely frustrated & astonsihed how could such a defect occur in a respectable brand new car like TOYOTA espcially after a 440 KM (mileage)unless the cluch was made of paper.
My personel opinion is that this is a defect in the car & of course the feedback i got with regrads to that its my wife's fault is non sense because burning a clutch can not occur at such low mileage.
Seperately, please note that i have a Toyota Corolla car since 2005 & its doing fine. Now I have a big problem of credibilty to the Toyota Egypt Agent.
Awaiting your feedback on such a serious issue.
Apprecate your support.
N.B I HAVE DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT MY CLAIM & IF YOU CAN SEND ME A PERSONELL EMAIL SO I CAN ATTACH OR RELATED DOCUMENTS.
if you cant help me please share with me a contact of anyone who can help about this issue.
BEST REGARDS
MEDHAT AZMY
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