Perhaps Toyota should just shut up?
It's not enoughI've defended Toyota against many environmentalists whom have attacked Toyota for joining the Big 3 against any serious increase in CAFE. I didn't do this because I agree with the Big 3 that America shouldn't be too aggressive on CAFE, I did this because Toyota really is probably doing more than any other major automaker when it comes to fuel economy, etc.
But, Toyota is only doing a little more than most other automakers.
The Toyota Prius might have given Toyota a little bit of a green halo, but it didn't make Toyota environmental saints. Toyota's hybrid cars are still only a small percent of their overall vehicle portfolio.
Thus, when I read Jim Lentz's statement supporting the EPA's decision not to provide California with its tailpipe waiver, I could only think just one thing; SHUT UP. Saying nothing would have been a far better choice because I guarantee the EPA's ruling is only going to invigorate hardcore greens, and I'm done defending Toyota.
Labels: epa, Hybrid Vehicles, toyota prius
posted by Dahcredyns at
12:24 AM
3 Comments:
When a car company truly leads in this area, they will get my business, til then I will not buy any new cars. Very frustrating and it shows how big business in this country continues to determine our policy decisions.
Especially after the Supreme Court decision. The S.C. has been pretty pro-business and far from liberal and their decision seemed key to California's position. It's almost as if the people don't matter, state's rights don't matter.
Now, I know that if California would have been given the waiver, it would have been a nightmare for the Big 3. But all the problems that foreign all dependency has created are turning into a far bigger nightmare.
Government, business and consumers need some serious out-of-the-box thinking because if we just keep doing things the way we've been doing them the last couple of decades...well, I'm not very optimistic.
Like you said, Toyota is not doing that much more than anyone else. And you could easily argue that the only reason they are pushing hybrids is to make more money, not because of any sense of social responsibility!
If there was a true concern for the environment, we would not see the giant selection of pick-ups, SUVs and cross-overs that we see today. And, we would have a greater selection of small vehicles and a greater selection of engine size and type (diesel vs. gasoline). And what of electric vehicles? I may be naïve, but the movie "Who Killed The Electric Car?" convinced me! On top of that, I recently read that Ferdinand Porsche (as is "thats a beautiful Porsche Carrera you drive") designed an electric powered car in the very early 1900's (his first design I believe). And how long have electric golf carts been around!?!
Those who say that "the technology isn't there yet" actually mean "the technology isn't more profitable than internal combustion yet"!
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