Toyota concedes defeat to GM in electric wars

Toyota admits lithium ion battery technology is still too hazardous to use in its production cars despite GM announcing earlier this year that it expects to have a plug-in hybrid vehicle with lithium batteries by the end of the decade. The Japanese giant doesn’t want to rush out products with lithium batteries and then see them fail once they’ve left the showroom floor.

The biggest factor holding it back is safety fears, revealed Toyota’s executive vice president for R&D Kazuo Okamoto. Let's hope GM can pull through.
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david989 - 9/3/2007 1:42:52 PM

0 Boost

A low tech company like GM outdoing Toyota? Where did you pick up this article? On a GM website!? These are lies obviously. Don't get me started on why Toyota kicked GM's ass a long time ago.

1970toyotamarc - 9/3/2007 2:21:17 PM

+4 Boost

Toyota is not conceding anything to GM. GM, as usual, has made grandiose predictions about its Volt, when they are nowhere near production. Toyota, meanwhile, remains tight lipped about their future product plans, suggesting to many that there is plenty up Toyota's hybrid sleeves. Just this weekend, as the article points out, Toyota has formed a partnership with a French company to produce charging stations. AutoBlog Green has more info on this, tho I hardly expect to see it here.

And that headline is not relected in the story at all. Typical Anti-ToyotaSpies biased headline.

ceric - 9/3/2007 3:09:57 PM

+1 Boost

GM has exclusive OEM right with A123 and Valiance. Both latter companies developed newest Li-Ion battery that can
- sustain abuse (such as striking a nail thru the battery)
(see video on YouTube if you would like)
- prolonged life span (10yr and beyond - current Li-Ion battery probably lasts only 2-3 yrs)
Toyota has no access to such new technology at this moment (at least they are behind). Overall, GM is now doing big risk-taking trying to surpass Toyota.
GM just might win this one or spend a lot of $$$ in lawsuits.
However, I won't be the first in line to buy Volt. Let some GM loyals to try and see if it is really safe first.

indoctrin8ed - 9/3/2007 9:32:16 PM

+4 Boost

Agreed - stupid title.

Hyundai - 9/4/2007 11:40:30 AM

+2 Boost

Not showing your hand = admitting defeat?

SINCE WHEN?!