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Toyota denies claims Japan government funded Prius development

Toyota denies claims Japan government funded Prius development

James Martinez April 3rd, 2008 James Martinez By James Martinez Author April 3rd, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 Reports emerged this week claiming the Japanese government helped fund the development of the first generation Toyota Prius more than ten years ago. Toyota has since denied all claims, which were originated from a recent interview with Chrysler exec Jim Press who was working for Toyota at the time the Prius was first developed. During an interview with Business Week, Press referenced the close cooperation between the Japanese government and its auto industry. The source quoted Press as stating "the Japanese government paid for 100 percent of the development of the battery and hybrid system that went into the Toyota Prius." Speaking with the Associated Press, Japanese officials said Thursday that the only help Toyota received were several government rebates for Prius buyers and that zero funding was given for developing the Prius. Press’ new employer, Chrysler, has denied the claims as well. In a statement on its media blog, it said Press "was not speaking negatively of Toyota" but "referenced the close cooperation between the Japanese government and Japanese industry." The point of his statement was to express his desire to see similar cooperation between government and industry in the U.S., but unfortunately it appears his comments have been taken out of context.
Toyota denies claims Japan government funded Prius development

Toyota denies claims Japan government funded Prius development

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Reports emerged this week claiming the Japanese government helped fund the development of the first generation Toyota Prius more than ten years ago. Toyota has since denied all claims, which were originated from a recent interview with Chrysler exec Jim Press who was working for Toyota at the time the Prius was first developed.

During an interview with Business Week, Press referenced the close cooperation between the Japanese government and its auto industry. The source quoted Press as stating "the Japanese government paid for 100 percent of the development of the battery and hybrid system that went into the Toyota Prius."

Speaking with the Associated Press, Japanese officials said Thursday that the only help Toyota received were several government rebates for Prius buyers and that zero funding was given for developing the Prius.

Press’ new employer, Chrysler, has denied the claims as well. In a statement on its media blog, it said Press "was not speaking negatively of Toyota" but "referenced the close cooperation between the Japanese government and Japanese industry."

The point of his statement was to express his desire to see similar cooperation between government and industry in the U.S., but unfortunately it appears his comments have been taken out of context.

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Posted in: Toyota, News, Hybrid, Prius


Comments (7 total)

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  1. By Gus #1, Posted: 4/3/2008

    So what if the government did help? So what if they didn't? I don't get it.

  2. By Alister #2, Posted: 4/3/2008

    Ironic really, lets help out the development of a "green" car over here and hunt whales over there.

  3. By Roy #3, Posted: 4/3/2008

    I'm with Gus on just not appreciating why this comment is fractious. The US, through the Dept of Defense, has financed the development of plenty of passenger aircraft, just as European govts have indirectly financed airbus. One could make lists like this all day.
    He even clarified his point by saying he just hoped the US govt would help assist carmakers in developing green technologies. The good news is that the US govt has given Big Oil over 15 billion dollars in tax breaks and they have channelled an enormous percentage of that (1 billion!!) into establishing new research centers around the US. It does the stockholders proud!

  4. By chris #4, Posted: 4/3/2008

    well... if you elect hilary... isnt she going to help fund green stuff? and obama wants to help his brothas in detroit.. so clearly you need to keep splitting your delegates between the two so they have no option but to form a power ticket and go to office together. then you get a green detroit. clearly. sheesh.

  5. By Gus #5, Posted: 4/3/2008

    Hilary and Obama would drive this country into the ground, while raising taxes to pay for it all.
    I'm so glad they're still warring.

    Anyhow, yes, I think it's no big deal, unless Toyota is out to prove that the Prius actually made financial sense for them and the buyers somehow?

  6. By Gene #6, Posted: 4/4/2008

    @Alister

    You know what's really "ironic"? The US is an anti-whaling whaling nation - it allows their native peoples to hunt Bowhead whales which is listed in Appendix I by CITES (that is, "threatened with extinction") and is against whaling elsewhere.

  7. By Tom Cooper #7, Posted: 6/10/2008

    Gene

    Native American are technically a seperate nation with seperate laws. The issue is that whaling is not a crime that one can be extradited for. Basicly if the US cant arrest the Japanese whalers they cant arrest the Native whalers.

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