Yeah GM smashed EV1s and yeah they don't offer much in the way of high MPG vehicles at the moment but is GM really so different from Toyota? One recent complaint voiced against GM was that it was pushing gas guzzling SUVs on the public. Well yeah GM does do that, but guess what? So does Toyota.

Been watching "Lost" on ABC.com in streaming HD. Every 6 minutes or so I'm forced to sit through an add for the Toyota Sequoia (during Toyota sponsored shows). The Sequoia is rated at a whopping 13/18 mpg! Never have seen an add for a Prius or any high MPG vehicle, only the Sequoia.

Honda sales are up because their entire line of vehicles generally gets good mileage. Toyota sales are off 3% and they are offering incentives on their guzzlers, just like GM.

Perhaps Toyota isn't advertising the Prius because they are down to a one day supply (according to Toyota spokesman.) It doesn't make sense to push vehicles in such short supply but rather to advertise the sales slugs.

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

Of course you are correct regarding the Prius. Toyota has a shining star in the Prius to be certain.

Point is that it seems everybody loves Toyota in spite of the fact that they do many of the exact same things that GM does. Both companies are in business to make money. Both have smashed EVs, and both are pushing SUVs.

Some of GM's SUVs might even get better MPGs than Toyota's......

YEP! That Acadia gets 16/22 and the Yukon Hybrid is rated 21/22

Yet Toyota pushes the Sequoia at 13/18.

Seem right to you?

I think the Sequoia is in competition with the non-hybrid Yukon, a former GM cash-cow. Toyota is 'thinning the herd.'

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

Ya run adds on stuff you make and can't sell enough of. Toyota built several plants during the SUV boom years to build the big-a$$ trucks. GM's big whoops is being caught with a 'more power' lineup, and very little in the small-to-mid-size capacity. Now that the 'slades on 22's don't sell, they're up the creek. GM's other problem is that they never figured out how to make money on smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. The margins of light trucks were the crack rocks to the corporate finance guys - you know the stuff may kill you, but you can't stop.

And Honda light trucks are off on sales - the car sales are doing OK. Interesting that the 3-year-old Civic is outselling the brand-new Accord, though.

I just read an article on cars and how 10 year-old cars are selling faster than ever. Especially Honda's and Toyota's such as the Civic, Accord, Camry and Corolla. It seems now that gas has surpassed the $4/gal mark, people are now realizing that a reliable, fuel efficient car has always been your best bet. Not just when gas is $4/gal. It just takes a while for some to come to that realization.

Considering that Toyota is leasing the HSD system to both Ford and Nissan so they can shore up their CAFE numbers, I'd say Toyota's at least one step ahead.

Not just Super White...Super Duper White...

NOT true. Ford does not share any hardware or software with Toyota in regards to their hybrid system. There is no leasing of hybrid technology between Ford and Toyota.

2005 AWD Escape Hybrid
Best Interstate tank trip MPG 39.02 (scangauge II) for 402 miles on I-70, 10.3 gallons used over mostly flat terrain. Aug. 2007

Best Interstate tank trip E30 MPG 34.6 for 271 miles along I-80 in Indiana and Ohio. May 2008

Best multiple road tank trip E30 MPG 36.2 for 202 miles in Southwestern Pa. July 2008.

Billy,

Let's not hijack this thread, but the cvt in EVERY escape hybrid is made by Aisin, which is owned (at least in part) by Toyota..

On a DIFFERENT note, it's kind of funny because for SEVERAL years toyota was not ALLOWED to import a V8 pick up or SUV into the US in an effort to reduce competition against the American manufacturers.

I am a Ford and a GM owner by my choice. Yes I say shame on GM for their greed, welcome to the Amercian way.

I can't deny that Toyota continued with a product that was questioned by almost every other manufacturer. Kudos to them for having a high mpg car (the hybrid) that many love. Kudos to them for continuing to improve it.

It could have, SHOULD have, been done by one of our big three...

08FEH

There is NO Toyota technology or parts in our vehicle. Quoted from Mary Ann Wright, former Ford Executive.
Source:

http://www.businessweek.com/innovate...innovat_1.html

Ford's eCVT is different from Toyota's.

2005 AWD Escape Hybrid
Best Interstate tank trip MPG 39.02 (scangauge II) for 402 miles on I-70, 10.3 gallons used over mostly flat terrain. Aug. 2007

Best Interstate tank trip E30 MPG 34.6 for 271 miles along I-80 in Indiana and Ohio. May 2008

Best multiple road tank trip E30 MPG 36.2 for 202 miles in Southwestern Pa. July 2008.