Is GM deceiving America, AGAIN, with it's fuel cell vehicles?

GM won't really have any major hybrid presence until around 2008, yet GM has stated numerous times that its fuel cell vehicles will be a reality by 2010. "We believe we can design and validate a competitive fuel cell propulsion system by 2010," stated Lawrence D. Burns, G.M.'s vice president for research and development recently (more).

So, why is GM even developing hybrid vehicles? If GM can develop a "competitive" fuel cell system by 2010, then there is no need for hybrid vehicles, right? Even GM has stated, "Hybrids could be another niche, low-volume technology that is nice to have," according to Mr. Burns.

I guess GM is just a hybrid poser? "Toyota is at this moment skimming off all the altruistic people who are doing it for the birds and the bees and for energy independence," Bob Lutz, G.M.'s vice chairman, told reporters in Detroit in September.

Oh, excuse me for caring about energy independence and the environment, you putz, I guess those are just silly issues to GM?

Mr. Lutz has also stated that GM could have developed hybrids at a cost of a fraction of its YEARLY marketing budget. That's right, for a fraction of ONE year's marketing budget, GM could have helped fight FOR the environment and AGAINST foreign oil dependency, but GM chose to invest in INCREASING foreign oil dependency and environmental damage.

Is that an example of American corporate leadership?

GM has been telling the U.S. government that fuel cell vehicles were just around the corner since the Nixon administration, and GM has likewise cited increased U.S. fuel economy as a roadblock to its fuel cell outcome. Thus, after decades, fuel economy in the U.S. has gone nowhere, as have GM's fuel cell vehicles.

Good thing increased foreign oil dependency hasn't had any costs to America!

If GM can achieve its 2010 fuel cell goals, it will be decades ahead of the rest of the auto industry and it will salvage itself and America. However, if GM fails to meet its fuel cell goals, then it will have failed America as no other American corporation has ever failed America.

For now, I'll wish GM the best of luck, but if they fail, heads MUST roll - there can be no more excuses from GM.