Outside of Ford, Detroit's hybrids are too much talk

While I am very excited about the dual mode hybrid transmission that GM, DaimlerChrysler and BMW are working together to produce, I am equally as bothered by the lack of real results from this group.

"We believe that our two-mode hybrid is the best of the hybrid systems," said Andreas Truckenbrodt, executive director of DaimlerChrysler's hybrid programs, recently (more).

Don't tell me about it, show me.

Toyota has now sold more than 500,000 Toyota Prius hybrids. Neither GM, Dailmer nor BMW have sold 1 of their two-mode hybrids - NOT ONE!

It is actually quite possible that by the time that the GM et al alliance begins to roll out a competent supply of hybrid cars, Toyota will already be launching its THIRD generation of hybrid technology. Such technology, it has been rumored, could result in huge gains in both performance and fuel efficiency.

I really hope that two-mode hybrids live up to the hype. Even if they do live up to the hype, they still might not be able to live up to Toyota's real world experience.