I agree. GM is a recent player, and to state that they are now the standard for the remainder of the industry is premature. That said, I do think GM has finally made up for the market mistake they made by not realizing the market for technology as a solution to the environment, but with a twist. GM developed a system for trucks and towing that offers some marginal improvement while maintaining consistency witht the American "Big is good" market perception (that GM helped to create) of family SUVs, puckups and minivans. They are going to win big in the short term with that concept.

If a "real" energy crunch (which I think is in our not-to-distant future) occurs and starts to impact American pocketbooks, then that market perception may change -- rapidly. Most American families do not "need" pickups or SUVs -- they "want" them. There is a big difference, and it will reveal itself when the economic well being of the family is impacted. The Toyota technology makes fewer compromises for parameters other than efficiency. The HSD series/parallel technology offers superior flexibility and efficiency in the steps toward higher efficiency hybrids, full power by wire hybrids, PHEVS and even all electrics. The TCH is a lot heavier and bigger than the Prius, but in a few short years Toyota was able to transfer the technology from the Prius to the Camry, and make almost everything lighter, smaller and more powerfull. Same for the HyHi and these were only the first generation removed from the Prius. I can't wait to see what they do with current developments in battery technology, ultra-capacitors and motor advancements.

I beleive that if we see a mass movement toward lighter personal transportation with emphasis on economy and effciency, GM's success in the "Heavy Hybrids", at least for comsumers, could be very short lived. However, it's potential for commercial trucks and buses is another matter entirely and may yet ensure GM's return for the technology.

It is the ignorant among us that will eventually destroy us all.