19 Nov 2007
Toyota to forego speed for quality
Toyota has rejected claims that rivals Honda and General Motors (GM) have left it trailing in the race to introduce fuel cell-powered vehicles to the mass market.
While GM is due to distribute 100 fuel cell Chevy Equinox crossover vehicles to customers over the next half year as part of its Project Driveway strategy, Honda announced recently that it will lease its FCX Clarity to a small number of customers in southern California by next summer.
However, Jim Lentz, head of Toyota's US division, said Toyota was more concerned with ensuring they had developed the best product than rushing it out unnecessarily.
"Sure, everyone would love to be the first, but we're much more concerned with being the best," Mr Lentz confirmed in an interview with MarketWatch.
Meanwhile, Irv Miller, vice president of Toyota corporate communications, has suggested that too much is being read into the fact that consumers will be driving Honda and GM fuel cell cars.
"Just because some manufacturer is going to deliver a handful of fuel-cell vehicles in a certain market doesn't mean it's commercially acceptable," he told the news service.
"These are not even close to commercially practical vehicles. When it does become viable, Toyota will be right there. Don't count us out."
© Adfero Ltd
While GM is due to distribute 100 fuel cell Chevy Equinox crossover vehicles to customers over the next half year as part of its Project Driveway strategy, Honda announced recently that it will lease its FCX Clarity to a small number of customers in southern California by next summer.
However, Jim Lentz, head of Toyota's US division, said Toyota was more concerned with ensuring they had developed the best product than rushing it out unnecessarily.
"Sure, everyone would love to be the first, but we're much more concerned with being the best," Mr Lentz confirmed in an interview with MarketWatch.
Meanwhile, Irv Miller, vice president of Toyota corporate communications, has suggested that too much is being read into the fact that consumers will be driving Honda and GM fuel cell cars.
"Just because some manufacturer is going to deliver a handful of fuel-cell vehicles in a certain market doesn't mean it's commercially acceptable," he told the news service.
"These are not even close to commercially practical vehicles. When it does become viable, Toyota will be right there. Don't count us out."
© Adfero LtdSource: Adfero
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