About electric vehicles in the cold...
We're aware that batteries cannot supply enough energy in very cold weather. With the Volt, we use a 12-volt battery to start the piston engine which drives the car while warming up the batteries. Once the latter's operating temperature has been reached, they take over.
About China...
The Chinese market is larger than Europe and the U.S. combined, with over 30 million vehicles. While their cars do not meet our quality and production standards yet, they will 5 or 10 years from now. China is different from Japan and Korea because it's an open market. Toyota would not be as productive if the Japanese market was open to foreign automakers. Japanese and Korean protectionism has limited the growth of other manufacturers.
In China, it's a different ballgame. The government encourages alliances while allowing both domestic and foreign carmakers to sell vehicles. We're number one and we'll remain number one.
photo:General Motors, Sébastien D'Amour
We're aware that batteries cannot supply enough energy in very cold weather. With the Volt, we use a 12-volt battery to start the piston engine which drives the car while warming up the batteries. Once the latter's operating temperature has been reached, they take over.
 |
| 2008 Chevrolet Malibu and Buick Riviera Concept |
About China...
The Chinese market is larger than Europe and the U.S. combined, with over 30 million vehicles. While their cars do not meet our quality and production standards yet, they will 5 or 10 years from now. China is different from Japan and Korea because it's an open market. Toyota would not be as productive if the Japanese market was open to foreign automakers. Japanese and Korean protectionism has limited the growth of other manufacturers.
In China, it's a different ballgame. The government encourages alliances while allowing both domestic and foreign carmakers to sell vehicles. We're number one and we'll remain number one.
photo:General Motors, Sébastien D'Amour