People are who they are and their styles fit their personas. Rick Wagoner handles the media in one fashion, Carlos Ghosn in a much different fashion, and Bob Lutz has his own style. All three are still excellent decision makers.

Now, to the point that no conflict exists, don't be lulled to sleep on that one. The Volt is a high risk play, due to it's reliance on Li-Ion battery technology. Toyota and Honda have both slowed down on implementation of Li-Ion as a plug-in energy storage battery, but it is that exact technology that is the heart and soul of the Volt.

Both are to some degree stating publicly that the Volt is purely a publicity play. That's bad form. They know that it is much more than a publicity play. If it's a publicity play, it's one of the most expensive and resource intense publicity plays in automotive history. GM has a ton of people working the project, and if Toyota and Honda aare not already aware of that, they should fire their competitive intelligence staffs.

So why are they become so vocal? Possibly because they may recognize that this thing is likely to happen before they get plug-in parallel hybrids to market (the Volt is officially designated an extended range electric vehicle, but some could characterize it as a series hybrid). By disparaging the basics of the technology, Toyota in particular is looking to deflate consumer expectations.

Peace,

Martin

In the vein of full disclosure, I, unlike Bob, do have a dog in this fight!!

I am NOT the official voice of GM with respect to Hybrid issues

I am NOT the official voice of GM with respect to Hybrid issues

I am NOT the official voice of GM with respect to Hybrid issues