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April 3, 2008
Prius Dev Paid for by Japanese Government?
By John Coyle
Editor
This is a big story, so I’m just going to dispense with my usual blathering and get straight to the point. Just over a week ago, Chrysler honcho—and former Toyota man—Jim Press said:
"The Japanese government paid for 100 percent of
the development of the battery and hybrid system that went into the
Toyota Prius."
Almost immediately, Toyota’s spokesman Paul Nolasco hit back, telling the Associated Press:
"I can say 100 percent that Toyota received
absolutely no support—no money, no grants—from the Japanese
government for the development of the Prius."
So who’s telling the truth in this transcontinental slug fest? Nobody knows yet. But in the interest of the hard, uncompromising journalism this blog is known for, I decided roll up my sleeves and get to the bottom of the whole mess—so I called the Japanese government. Unfortunately, there’s kind of a burly time change—like three days?—between Seattle and Tokyo, so I just got an answering machine, or at least what I think was an answering machine, because I don’t speak Japanese. At all. So then I gave up. Who do you think is telling the truth? And what would be Press’ motivation to lie?
Comments
GTwildfire
Apr 3, 2008 at 6:40 am
sheesh… I think Toyota should have shaved off a couple hundred million from their F1 budget to try and make the Prius easier to look at. That would have been money well-spent.
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I would have tasered the design staff if they put a drawing of that on my desk.
GTwildfire
Apr 3, 2008 at 6:36 am
What would be gained by Press saying the Prius dev was paid for by their government? What would that achieve? Would it hurt Toyota’s sales figures in the U.S.? I seriously doubt that. It’s not something american consumers would give a crap about. There are things they should care more about, which they don’t so I see no motive in him lying about this.
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Conversely, he was probably in a position where he knew how the money was flowing. Could be he’s been biting his lip about it for years and couldn’t hold it back any longer.
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I think it’ll be an anecdote… and a footnote. Not much more.
KC Post
Apr 3, 2008 at 3:19 am
Just think what would happen if our government spent the Billions going to Iraq on better technology to allow us to not be so dependant on oil! Oh wait…that makes too much sense!!