Joined
·
4,087 Posts
GM & Toyota - joint venture to build Prius?
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
Joined
·
1,803 Posts
Doesn't surprise me. Most Prius' are sold in California, the pitiful dollar makes it expensive to import them, GM needs a small hybrid in it's portfolio quick and they already run a joint venture plant. For GM it's a stop gap measure and for Toyota it's a cost cutting measure, plus they can plaster "Made in USA" all over it and maybe sell a few more in the heartland. It's sad, but pretty much all the same reasons the NUMMI plant was built for in the first place.
Being American, I would prefer to see GM compete rather than be Toyota's byatch but they haven't done too well at that. I guess scaling down it's 2-Mode hybrid system would too expensive, so it seems they might just do as Ford does and buy it from Toyota. Who knows? It might just be a Wall Street rumor and nothing more. I hope so. I'd rather see the NUMMI plant cranking out Volts and Toyota buying from GM.
Being American, I would prefer to see GM compete rather than be Toyota's byatch but they haven't done too well at that. I guess scaling down it's 2-Mode hybrid system would too expensive, so it seems they might just do as Ford does and buy it from Toyota. Who knows? It might just be a Wall Street rumor and nothing more. I hope so. I'd rather see the NUMMI plant cranking out Volts and Toyota buying from GM.
Joined
·
4,087 Posts
DaV8or,
Well put, I suppose this is good for everyone. I have to keep focused on the need for America to get energy independent, and all entrents into the US auto market who will help achieve that is appreciated.
Well put, I suppose this is good for everyone. I have to keep focused on the need for America to get energy independent, and all entrents into the US auto market who will help achieve that is appreciated.
The NUMMI plant wasn't built - it was converted. It was built in 1963 by GM to build BOP (Buick, Olds, Pontiac) and Chevy/ GMC trucks. My step-dad was a QA employee there from the time it opened until GM shut it down in 1983. They promptly cut a deal with Toyota to build Corollas there. Toyota brought in a lot of new manufacturing technology. A lot of the old GM employees went to work for NUMMI, albeit with a substantial pay/benefit cut. My step-dad elected took an early-retirement buyout deal. His golf game improved immeasureably from there.
I know Toyota rehabbed the truck line and starting building Tundras a few years after the Corollas started rolling off the line. Prius' assembly is just another line added to a joint venture that has successfully worked for over 20 years.
I know Toyota rehabbed the truck line and starting building Tundras a few years after the Corollas started rolling off the line. Prius' assembly is just another line added to a joint venture that has successfully worked for over 20 years.
Joined
·
3,689 Posts
I think we need to use whatever technology is working and get it to the people in the highest possible volumes. The higher the volumes the lower the costs. This goes for solar panels, batteries, biofuels, etc. We should be well beyond pride and Not Invented Here mentality. Once we get a handle on our energy problems we can then go back to the fun filled fan-boy days. We are putting out fires right now. Not just tiny ones but nation-wide, out of control, killer forest fires.
Totally agree. I've owned Chevys since I was in highschool (going on 30 years ago now). But the last car I bought was a Prius. I'm past worrying about nameplates until the automakers are all offering alternatives to gasoline. I'm thrilled that GM is looking to lead the pack with the Volt, but I will be buying the first electric/range extended car to hit the market even if it's a Ford... well okay I might give GM a couple of years leeway to avoid buying a Ford, but not many.
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
