Why is the White House Snubbing Toyota?

If I wanted to read political articles I'd go to Newsweek, or Time.

— golfer38 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 9:20:28 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

any one who sells automobiles in the u.s. should take part in this. im not a hardcore toyota/lexus fan, i respect toy/lex, though i can sum-up this post by saying; BUSH SUCKS!!!

— WeAreMad (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 9:35:35 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Bush + Oil = $$$$$$$$$$
You + conserving = less $$$$ for Bush

Simple as that.

— louisvuittondon (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 10:01:50 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Why should Toyota be invited? The domestic automakers play a much bigger role in American society in terms of jobs and the economy than foreign automakers. Toyota's profits don't stay in the U.S. and their 30,000 employees and 5 factories here are nothing compared to the 100,000+ employees and 120+ factories of the Big 3.

— Westside7th (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 10:38:06 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Well since Chrysler is a German company that may not even exist in a few years, and Toyota is constantly expanding its presence in the US, this does seem quite a snub. Maybe it's because at the Congressional hearings, Toyota was clear in its statements that global warming exists, is partially man made, and that automakers need to be responsible with govts to make changes. Maybe these were words that the Oil Man did not want to hear.

And to the first poster, maybe you're new to this whole thing, but the automobile industry is politics. This site does occasionally rise above the Lexus/BMW tit for tat.

— 1970toyotamarc (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 11:20:42 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Simply PR. How would it look if the U.S. President got cozy with a foreign automaker while the 3 stooges are having money problems?

btw, Toyota has 12 factories last time I checked. After Ford finishes slicing and dicing their operations, they and Toyota will be equal in size.

All this talk about profit. A lot of good all the profit from the big 3 are doing when the execs get bonuses for nothing.
Which is more important, Johnny Lunchbucket making a decent income at home, or GM making money so they can send more jobs overseas? Stupid closed minds.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 11:26:38 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

The sad thing (I guess) is that Toyota doesn't even need to attend. This will be a meeting for the rest of the automotive world to work out a strategy that will get them to reducing energy levels most likely not even half of what Toyota has already accomplished on their own.

— Zackary (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 1:08:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I am not entirely sure what world a certain few of you live in, but I do wish you would come back to reality. Believe it or not, Bush has not been doing any favors for the oil and gas industry lately. Let’s just open my “American Oil and Gas Reporter: for March 2007 …hm …ah page 38, under “Federal Legislation”: “Bush Budget Drops Oil and Gas R& D.” Let’s see here…. I’ll paraphrase a bit. In February Bush presented the $2.9 trillion fiscal 2008 budget to Congress. This asks for more money for O&G leasing [i.e. more money to the BLM and MMS: which needs done they are extremely understaffed] but cuts DOE O&G research programs in addition to Outer Continental Shelf royalty relief incentives, as well as increases some taxes tied to O&G industry. IPAA [Independent Petroleum Association of America] isn’t happy…some democrat isn’t happy.

Ah…here: DOE states that Bush’s emphasis for the Office of Fossil Energy shall be security [then why cut R&D: most onshore domestic producers are small independents without research programs the democrat pointed this out, although many of the majors don’t really research much anymore either.] clean air, climate change and coal research. Also expansion of the SPR is a concern. $179 million to assist in making cellulosic ethanol cost competitive by 2012. And $176 million to assist in development of energy alternatives- apparently this includes vehicle efficiency as well. Odd place for that last bit.

It goes on in more depth. I recommend anyone read it. There is also a special report on LNG.

— cdoke (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 2:53:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

No car makers based outside of US should ever be invited over there. For the reasons you (some) guys posted above, main one being that the profits have to stay in the country - not fly to Germany or Japan.

I hate US car makers for not being able to deliver what I need (in cars) but this is about economics not cars here.

— rg12345 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 4:21:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

every manufacture is above TOYOTA. Toyota cant compete. LEXUS IS BASICALLY LIKE A SUZUKI. MERCEDES-BENZ TOPS LEXUS. HYUNDAI TOPS TOYOTA SATURN TOPS TOYOTA FORD TOPS TOYOTA HONDA TOPS TOYOTA


just to annoy the crap of ppl like LEXUS KING

— jt716 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 5:43:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

nobody tops toyota, period.

— trd1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 9:32:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

tax the crap out of us. it's the only way. just get it over with.

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 12:01:59 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Still waiting for the Sequel and 2nd FCX. Knowing the brilliant minds at GM, they'll probably have the Sequel built in China inorder to teach them how to design one to undercut GM.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 11:29:14 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1