Toyota Greenwashing. Why Not?
Here’s an Insight: Honda has publicly declared its intention to rebrand itself as the environmentally-friendly/responsible car company. I guess the power of dreams is the power to save the world. For some reason, despite its participation in the now-theoretical gas-guzzling segment of the market, good old reliable Toyota also has designs on that mindspace. As part of the Japanese automaker’s ongoing campaign to cloak itself in the mantle of not so mean mean green, Toyota’s relaunched it’s Why Not? website. It’s a virtual world without a single man-made sound (except the digital bird noises), where clickable bits of paper provide ideas for improving your carbon footprint, eliminating waste and generally protecting the world’s resources for our children (it’s always about the children). Although the idea’s authors names are withheld, you too can submit your planet-saving ideas to the site. So no public recognition, BUT your entry could win you a week-long trip for a VIP tour of Toyota’s plant in Kentucky and a chin wag with unspecified “top innovators” in New York City. No disrespect to the KY’s ToMoCo workers (who may or may not be working at the time of the trip), but a week seems a bit… much. Me, I’m thinking Hoover Dam and the straight to Vegas baby. Anyway, why not submit your Why Not? ideas here as well?
More by Robert Farago
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And how many coal fired servers does it take to run this website?
Green is the newest religion. Toyota and Honda were smart and jumped on the bandwagon years ago, while US auto execs were too busy playing golf and preparing their golden parachutes. It's survival of the fittest, as usual.
@ Durask "Green" is so 2008. But clearly Honda & Toyota are smart for marketing themselves as "Green" while the domestics called "BS." Cynically speaking, they'd probably be better off if they just built miserable crap (instead of improving their product and focusing on driving dynamics) and had marketed it as the 'green' alternative to a normal car. My entire beef with this 'greenwashing' crap is best highlighted by the actual ads for "Green Irene" which are being displayed on The Truth About Cars as I write this- a a pyramid...er... multi-level scheme in the name of 'eco consulting.' Believe it or not they actually think people are going to pay them for 'eco consulting,' you know, they tell you how to make your home more energy efficient (I guess this day and age this knowledge is difficult to come by.) Honda is running ads touting their approval from the Union of Concerned scientists- an organization that may or may not have any actual scientists (and if it does, probably far fewer than those who work at an automotive R&D facility.) In the midst of all of this environmental crap flung our way for the past decade, we've lost focus on things like taking small steps to reduce energy, recycling, and smog reduction. You know, little things that aren't that glamorous but add up. Which brings up a great point... Why are environmentalists so damn stupid?