Posted on 11/12/2005 4:59:26 PM PST by indianrightwinger
Toyota Fuels Ideas For Another Hybrid In North America By NORIHIKO SHIROUZU Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL November 12, 2005; Page A3
Toyota Motor Corp. is looking at boosting manufacturing capacity in North America again, creating more jobs at the same time as it continues to put pressure on Detroit auto makers.
With demand for Toyota vehicles continuing to rise in the U.S., company executives interviewed by The Wall Street Journal say they are scrambling to find a site for a new plant to produce more engines and transmissions in the U.S.
Toyota's continuing expansion in the U.S. has intensified competition among U.S. states to land a big investment by the Japanese auto maker. Among the governors wooing Toyota most intently for the new plant is Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, whose state has lost thousands of jobs as General Motors Corp. and other Detroit auto makers and suppliers have retreated under fire from Toyota and other Asian brands. Toyota already is expanding an engineering center near Ann Arbor, Mich., and company executives aren't ruling out Michigan for a manufacturing facility.
At the same time, Toyota's new equity ties with Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. could give Toyota a quick, low-cost way to add vehicle-assembly capacity in the U.S. by using a Subaru factory in Indiana.
New U.S. factories would help Toyota maintain the ratio of North American-made to imported vehicles well above 60% in the U.S. market. Company leaders view that as the threshold for being viewed as an "American" producer. Toyota has five operational assembly plants in North America, one under construction and another just announced. Other plants in North America produce components, including engines and transmissions.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
The only reason that GM still sells automobiles is to support their major business, acting as the middleman for delivery of medical services to employees and former employees.
Much like the only reason tobacco companies are still selling cigarettes is to pay the claims against them for the various damages awarded to the victims of tobacco use.
That aside, the next generation of hybrid vehicles should be designed with Diesel engines modified for clean-burn operation, together with an on-board capability to be plugged into household current for overnight recharging of the battery array.
There was talk a few years ago of building a flywheel energy-storage system, in which energy was built up by applying power to a flywheel turning about 40,000 RPM or so, then using the cogeneration for braking (speeding up the flywheel) and drawing down the inertia of the flywheel to drive an electric generating system for power transmission to the drive wheels. Where does that stand now, or are there still engineering problems related to the occasional rapid self-disassembly of the flywheel unit when there was a bearing failure?
Just bought a Corolla. It's all about reliability.
You would think that GM would have clued into the fact that their design stinks, they aren't innovative, and that the public craves both.
The interior of GM cars looks something like a booster seat at McDonald's.
If they'd get their act together and even just ape Volkswagen, their sales would be far better.
Then there is that whole issue of being about 5-years behind, all the time.
I know what you mean about "McDonalds booster seat" interiors. My dad has owned plenty of Chevrolets (2).
The interior on my new Corolla is totally gorgeous, with the best fake wood I've seen yet. Only one minor flaw I'll get fixed under warranty next time I get my oil changed. Even has decent pickup and "great" 30/38 mileage.
GMs newer offerings are much better.
Oh yeah, my dad is now the proud owner of a Toyota Sequoia. Gorgeous and wonderful.
The only reason that GM still sells automobiles is to support their major business, acting as the middleman for delivery of medical services to employees and former employees.
I wouldn't be so sure about all the jobs they are bringing here... I find that those numbers are inflated for PR campaigns.
Personally, I think they make the cars back in Asia, then put the big pieces together here, employ a fraction of the autoworkers, and reap all the tax breaks.
Sounds like a good strategy to me...
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