Go GM! Says Toyota

Given the controversy of the Volt (earned or not), GM is being closely watched from all angles. Some people think that GM hasn’t changed. Others think that this may delay GM’s IPO. But, ironically what hasn’t changed, despite the witch-hunt of GM’s owners, is Toyota’s unwavering support of GM.

The DetNews reports that Toyota is fully behind GM, despite this controversy. “I don’t think it really matters to the viability of the Volt,” said Bill Reinert, national manager for Toyota’s advanced technology group, “I don’t think they’re going to lose one customer if someone calls (the Volt) a hybrid…Whether it’s a hybrid or an extended range EV, it’s still an interesting car, a challenging car and all congrats for them to do it.” Talk about taking the high road.

Mr Reinert made these comments at the Business of Plugging In conference. Also there was a representative for Nissan. He was a bit more evasive of the issue. “We’re just focused on making sure we deliver a very seamless and customer experience for out customers,” said Scott Becker, Nissan’s senior vice president for finance and administration (quote was taken directly from DetNews. Blame them or Scott Becker for the syntax errors).

Bill Reinert of Toyota, on the high road again, praised both cars, “I think they are both viable cars – I think they are coming at it from a different direction. They are going to let the market sort it out,” he said. Trouble is, the market isn’t going to sort it out. There are market distorting subsidies attached to the cars. And lest we forget that Nissan had “Volt-gate” problems of their own. But the most baffling of all of this? Why is Toyota still playing nice with GM? The only answer I can think of is the words of Humphrey Appleby from “Yes, Minister” and “Yes, Prime Minister”. “It is necessary to get behind someone before you can stab them in the back” and in this case, the knife will be in the shape of the Toyota Plug-in Prius.