Toyota makes very nice profits on its trucks and SUVs, but they get a halo effect from the Prius. TOYOTA=GOOD and GM=BAD is way too simple, and simply not true. I've owned some lousy cars from GM in the past, and bought my first Toyota two years ago. GM has to start making better cars, not just SUVs and trucks. So the Volt is now a matter of survival. Good luck to them.

Begin Rant ... I'll say it again ... the lack of competitiveness of the US automakers is a HUGH political problem. It's not just a technical problem or a business problem. The Big 3 plus the UAW, together with the ethanol/farm lobby and the politicians beholden to them will fight ANY effort to seriously improve fuel efficiency or reduce global warming. They are just too dependent on trucks and SUVs for their survival.

The baby boomer union members and executives want to keep getting their high pay and bonuses until they retire. After that the assembly plants can ALL go overseas as far as they care. Meanwhile Toyota and Honda will make good cars and trucks in the good ol' US of A -- without Detroit management and without union labor. I hope Toyota and Honda NEVER bend to the UAW. Keep the pressure on Detroit to get competitive or go out of business.

... Rant Over. :-)

andrichrose:

Do you know, if those 10 000 SVE Cleanova/TM4 will be Cleanova II BEVs or Cleanova III PHEVs.

The SVE Cleanova III/TM4 (supposedely on the market in 2008) will be a PHEV with 150 Km to 200 Km electric range + another 500+ km with the small on board ICE range extender generator.

The Cleanova III may be the first mass produced PHEV on the (European) market. It may NOT be exported to USA/Canada.

Toyota has a great new Tundra with choices including One V-6 and Two V-8's. This is to give those consumers in rural America and others a choice of power and/or preformance in a WORK TRUCK. I haul moderate loads in my V-4 Toyota Tacoma. But like many other two truck owners, I can't wait to dump my old 12 mpg Ford F-250, for a Tundra with far more power and towing capacity than my Ford with similar milage. But, unlike one truck owners, I can wait for the mild PHEV version comming early next decade from the leader in HEV efficiency, Toyota.

Toyota has a great new Tundra with choices including One V-6 and Two V-8's. This is to give those consumers in rural America and others a choice of power and/or preformance in a WORK TRUCK. I haul moderate loads in my V-4 Toyota Tacoma. But like many other two truck owners, I can't wait to dump my old 12 mpg Ford F-250, for a Tundra with far more power and towing capacity than my Ford with similar milage. But, unlike one truck owners, I can wait for the mild PHEV version comming early next decade from the leader in HEV efficiency, Toyota.

William: you aren't by any chance a Toyota dealer are you?

First of all, GM didn't even create the EV-1. A Company Called Aero Vironment engineered it from the ground up. Then GM got their hands on it and made it much less efficient. They also had a 5 to 15 minute charging system set up. GM shut that down now. I will never buy another GM product again. I don't trust them. Their Schizophrenic. Do this, no don't do this. make a good car, no don't make it too good or we can't make money of repairing it. GM, Your not a friend of mine. I bought a Prius. I never get less than 50 miles per gallon. I'm happy with this car. This is my first Toyota. And I'm not going back(I use to drive a Saturn SL series). The good news is that Toyota's are now also made here in America, this creates jobs for fellow Americans and I feel good about that. GM, I don't know where your head is. Actually I do, And I don't like. Game Over!

Facts are just the little problem with Joe M, Harvey D and William. For example William can't drive a V-4 since Toyota doesn't make one. PS James, the Tundra is made with UAW labor in CA (I am no fan of the UAW). Statitically this year Toyota imported 1 of 2 cars sold in the US from Japan. I wonder why since their American assembled cars are of equal or better quality.

Again, why is Toyota so quiet on Hybrid Truck, perhaps because they have none.....

tmo8844:

Toyota has stated (many times) that by 2010/2012 a hybrid version will be available throughout their production line and that they are ACIVIVELY working on quick charge lithum batteries + improved performance Hybrids + PHEVs . (facts)

I'm inclined to believe Toyota rather than GM. We liquidated our Big-3 shares in favour of Toyota's years ago and we are much better off today. (facts)

I'm not a 4 x 4 pick-up truck user but we appreciate the quality, reliability, and efficiency of our Toyota cars (for the last 20 years). (facts)

APA's 10 top 2007 car list did not have a single Big-3 unit in it but Toyota had almost 50%. (facts)

SVE-Cleanova/TM4 II (BEVs) and III (PHEVs) are coming to the European (and Golf States with 10 000 units) markets in large numbers in 2008/09. The French Postal Services is planning to replace 30 000+ vehicles with Cleanovas. EDF, GDF and the British Postal Services may follow with up to 100 000 vehicles. (facts)

I wonder why Renault is not intrested in picking up on all this electric buisness that
appears to just around the corner , after all fleets like La Poste and EDF in France
have traditionally split between Renualt and Citroen , Could it perhaps be something to do with Renualt´s proximity to ELF petroleum !
It seems that Cleanova are now saying that they will not sell the battery, only lease it
I wonder if this is an attempt to levy some sort of taxation for the French govenment , that is for the vehicles operating in France.

Renault had the PHEV electroad on European roads years ago. I am fairly sure they have another PHEV coming soon, a hinted by their big lithium collaboration with SAFT. Another French company not shy of electrics.

Andrichrose:

SVE/TM4 Cleanovas may (will) use Renault or Peugeot/Citroen mass produced shells for their BEVs and/or PHEVs. Either way, Renault and/or Peugeot/Citroen will be involved as much as before with Postal Services, EDF and GDF vehicles.