Green
Technology: Toyota versus GM
Thursday,
July 26, 2007
Automotive
Evolution:
Adaptation versus the Big Bang?
Ever since the Chevy
Volt Concept debuted at NAIAS, many auto journalists
have called it a Prius
killer, claiming the technology was so much more advanced
than the Prius, or at least claiming that the Volt's
technology was so much more advanced than Toyota's hybrid
technology.
The other day, another similar comment was made by BW's
David Kiley, "GM, of course, was the hit of last
January’s Detroit auto show when it debuted the Chevy
Volt plug in. It was the first time in recent years that
GM appeared to be ahead of Toyota, or even equal, in the
arena of alternative and greener vehicles."
What? Why?
Thus far GM offers a few mild hybrids (Yes, I know they
offer full hybrid buses!). More important, there isn't yet
a fully functional Volt, and yet some can claim the
technology is better than Toyota's hybrid
vehicles?
Today, the Toyota Prius has been converted into a plug-in
hybrid vehicle, capable of achieving more than 100 mpg, by
numerous auto enthusiasts. This isn't some hypothetical
technology. This isn't a theoretical vehicle dependent
upon some battery breakthrough. This is today.
Even Toyota is testing a plug-in
Prius - albeit one with NiMH batteries.
Quite simply, Toyota is making the best hybrid possible
today based upon today's technology. Even Toyota's NiMH-powered
plug-in demonstrates this constant, methodical move
forward.
Inevitably, GM's flex technology and the Volt might prove
to be better than the Prius and Toyota's future hybrids,
but this ridiculous habit of comparing a technology that
is years away from reality against a technology on the
street today is simply silly. Toyota has proven that when
it comes to technology, it is taking the evolutionary
approach - small constant adaptations based upon today's
real-world technology.
Thus, when the Volt hits the street, the Prius will have
adapted to current technologies, such as the lithium
technology so important to the Volt.
GM, and most other automakers, have been a little slower
to take this adaptive approach. Instead, they've waited
for major breakthroughs with hydrogen, fuel cells or
batteries. Recently, however, I'd argue that GM has
realized Toyota's focus on adaptation and has modeled the
flex drive and some of its hybrid program after Toyota's
kaizen-influenced approach to the advancement of
technology.
Biology has demonstrated that big bangs of advancement
rarely happen. Instead, constant, small adaptations lead
to great change over time. I think GM now gets this, and I
think GM can catch Toyota, but the hypothetical Volt did
not put GM equal to or ahead of Toyota in green
technology.
Yes, the Volt and the flex drive might propel GM ahead of
the Prius - might.
Today, however, the Prius alone puts Toyota ahead of GM in
green technology.
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