now that you remember i guess we will see you later unless your going to call me names also your upset b/c someone questioned your statement, get real

 

Toyota Production System. They probably can't buy one of the factory robots and tear it down as easily but they need to do something quickly. Toyota factories are running at 115% capacity in the US and the domestics are between 70-80%. The Prius was the first two generations of hybrids for Toyota and the third was the RX400h/Highlander. Now Lexus will have the fourth gen hybrid GS450h in the showroom this Spring. GM makes progress by press release as Spwolf mentions. Detroit is a sad city as revealed during the Super Bowl. It is now only a vestige of an industrial giant. I'm not a Bush apologist but he is so right about educating the youth of America in Math and Science. Just like GM we became complacent and now are waking up like Rip Van Winkle and finding we are 20 years behind the times.

Rock

 

hahhaa that would be kinda useless reverse engineering for them right now i guess i mean, even if they can somehow do it, they know already they can't "reproduce" it

 

Thank you for your input, I am aware that hybrids have lower emissions 'over time' than gas only vehicles.

But if someone who has the cash to buy anything ends up buying a vehicle for its low emissions , aren't they doing that to help save the world? Or to at least set an example (which I'm fine with - more power to 'em)

Well you said hybrids are the 'it' thing in Hollywood and I was commenting on why I felt that was so, so I don't think it was completely irrelevant, but you're entitled to your opinion.

Well, perhaps you need to lighten up.

 

They might be disecting the RX400H to help with design secrets on their new upcoming Buick Enclave.

I don't know about you guys but the Lucerne is pretty pittiful for the dollar, with a few exceptions in mind (magnaride is great). But this new Enclave looks like it could be a very solid competitor for the RX, at least assuming it comes out before the RX gets its next redesign.

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/s...d.php?p=469183

 

No, it is not a very impressive car....especially with all the hype Bob Lutz is giving it. If you want, here was my take on it several months ago:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...w+lucerne+2006

 

Yeah... 3800 series II V6 in a 30-40k dollar car?? WTH were they thinking? Yeah, Northstar is OK but its acceleration #s still don't quite match the Avalon despite it costing a pretty penny more and wasting quite a bit more fuel (plus northstars aren't exactly known for running expense-free for any extended period of time).

It sits on the chassis from the long ago discontinued 1995 Olds Aurora, and only has a 4-speed auto.

Interior is pretty bland, too.

I do like the outside, though, and I love GM's magnaride suspension though it seems to me it's a goldmine that hasn't been taken advantage of nearly enough (infinitely/instaltly variable suspension).

 

Whether Toyota makes a lot or a little or no money from hybrids, and however much hybrids actually benefit mankind in terms of cleaner air and lower fuel consumption, there are major dividends for being the company that pioneers research and development of hybrid powertrains. Exhibit one is the pile of patents that Toyota keeps building up. Ford, Nissan, Porsche, and maybe others, are having to pay to use Toyota technology. Have you got that check in the mail yet, mein Herr?