Just saw this:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com:80/id/23914373/

Moderator:
I don't hang in the Prius forum so I posted it here.
Feel free to move if you deem it appropriate to do so.

 

I think I missed the point here. Why is it a big deal if they received government funding? US oil companies do. The auto manufactures might as well, but I do not know.

 

Wow, I sold my Subaru to buy a Subaru built (Fuji Heavy Industries) Camry Hybrid.

hmmm...

 

Interesting that link doesn't work anymore for me. Could this have anything to do with April 1, being yesterday? Not sure about Subaru comment either, is this about this very old news that Toyota will use Subaru assembly plant?
If Subaru plant stands empty and Toyota can't make enough Camry's at Kentucky, why not. Many companies cooperate on many levels with each other, my old Honda Accord had Ford made dashboards and I think possibly transmissions.

 

The article is dated today, April 2. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23914373/

(drop the port 80 and it might load better)

 

In 1993 the US Government created the Partnership for a New Generation of Vechicles (PNGV).

It was a federally funded program to help the "Big Three" (GM, Ford, Chrysler) create hybrid vehicles.

Fast forward to 2007. Assume Japan did fund Toyota's hybrid research.


Toyota is selling hybrids (lots of them).

The big three are NOT (for all practical purposes).


At least the Japanese government got something for its money. Where did OUR money go?

 

Exactly! That's why I am confused as to why this should be news. It almost seems like an attack on Toyota's credibility in the eyes of Americans. That said, I don't work for Toyota and I really don't care. I buy the car I like and that will perform well, both cost and comfort.

 

Wasn't GM's billion dollar electric EV1 program partially funded by our government? I don't know, but it totally makes no difference who funded Toyota anyway.