Quote:
Originally Posted by Sungod18
Not to detract but isn't the whole GM and company approach the same as IBM's focus on the high end and business end of the computer market. Meanwhile Microsoft jumped to success on personal computers in the home.
|
No, I wouldn't characterize it as such. Toyota and Honda both focus at the company level on small and mid-size cars. Toyota, through Lexus, also has a focus on luxury vehicles. Their initial hybrid offerings are in small and mid-size cars, as well as some luxury Lexus products. In other words, play to your strength and protect the sweet spot of your market. OVer time, Toyota in particular has plans to expand product offerings upward to larger vehicles.
GM has had a primary focus on trucks and SUVs. The first hybrid offerings are in SUVs, with some venturing into mid-size cars. Expect that future hybrid offerings will travel down the portfolio to eventually include small cars. Again, it's a strategy of playing to strength and protecting the sweet spot of the market, then expanding across the portfolio.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sungod18
Toyota is the biggest player and even if GM is working hard on their own programs they don't seem to be repeating any gains from their direction in efficiency.
|
Depends on what you mean by that. If you mean that GM is not learning from GM's previous gains in efficiency, I would disagree. The 2-Mode system is developed almost totally from learnings through the hybrid bus development programs. Some of the learnings in controls have roots in the EV-1 program.
If you mean that GM is not learning from what Toyota has done, there may be some merit to that position. But keep in mind that the GM 2-Mode and the Toyota HSD are very different in design and approach.
Peace,
Martin
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