Anti-Toyota Eco-Activists Arrested at NY Auto Show

[GrandePdre]

Originally Posted by trxr

Ford uses Toyota's HSD so...

Ford purchased the rights to the first hybrid system Toyota developed for the first gen Prius in the late 90's. So that Escape Hybrid is equipped with Toyota's old hybrid technology.

[syr74]

Originally Posted by GrandePdre

Ford purchased the rights to the first hybrid system Toyota developed for the first gen Prius in the late 90's. So that Escape Hybrid is equipped with Toyota's old hybrid technology.

Half right. The system developed for Ford's hybrids was developed as a stand alone unit and isn't truly a copy of anybody's system. However, it is very similar to Toyota's system and could pose a patent infringement if Ford hadn't struck a deal with Toyota. But the notion that Ford copied it is no different than accusing every auto maker who ever employed a dual plane V8 of copying Cadillac, or every auto maker which employs the type of mono-block engine casting so common today of copying Ford. Engineering often leads to similar solutions because the principals these items are based on, and what works and what doesn't, are universal.

And if you are wondering how I know that this wasn't a copy...well, that would be because I know the guy that is primarily responsible for developing Ford's system.

[Tideland Prius]

wow there's so much misinformation on this thread it isn't funny.

How many times must I mention FORD DOES NOT USE TOYOTA'S SYSTEM!!! (ya.. I've said it 3 times on 3 separate pages on this damn thread).

And no, we don't magically die at 100,000kms. (or miles for that matter). We have Prius cabs here and they can EASILY do 100,000kms a year. They freaking go for servicing one a month.

And in that case you might as well not use any rechargeable batteries you have at home. They all use NiMH or NiCd. Hell, stop using your 5¢ coins... oh wait, they're not made of real nickel any more hahahaha.

[98CarollaDrvr]

Originally Posted by Z28Wilson

http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/2588

I'm not on-board with the whole Global Warming paranoia.

Someone should tell these guys that first of all, the issue isn't with making cars cleaner, just more fuel-efficient. Even the worst polluters today are something like 30x cleaner than the best vehicles of 30-40 years ago.

What they should be doing is going over to China and India, where corporations are loosely governed, or not governed at all, by laws which protect the environment. If there are real culprits in "Global Warming", you would find them there.

You know that global warming is not a pranoia, Its a fact. A fact most simply proven by the fact that it is snowing 7 inches in april.

and American Industries are the number one greenhouse gas emitters.

and I think the new tundra is pretty stupid, I really want to see more of the little pickup trucks again. But If we are going to keep the big trucks, we need to find another way to power them instead of burning fossil fuel. Or even making them all deisel would save on emissions. Instead, everyone wants gas engines.

We have the technology for zero emissions vehicles, It is readily available. The only reason its not out is because people are still buying SUV's, huge trucks and Hummers like nothing else.