Nissan received a 1.6 billion dollar loan from the U.S. government a few months ago to mass manufacture electric vehicles under the Recovery Act. These cars will be the first to market in a brand new industry that the U.S. is bank rolling. To say a lot is on the line is an understatement. The clean energy economy has to work or the U.S. is in big trouble. Almost like clock work a massive unintended acceleration recall rocked Toyota back in January. The dominant force for several years now in the U.S. automaker industry. When you analyze the numbers and the potential for growth in the electric vehicle industry. One thought comes to mind. Countries have gone to war for much less.
Throughout Asia industrial espionage is part of the game. It's so embedded in the culture that it's usually thought to be the victims fault when they allow sabotage to befall on them. I don't think the U.S had anything to do with it. But they know a great opportunity when they see one. Nissan and the U.S. are big partners now. Democrats have to sell some electric vehicles this year. So Nissan can increase manufacturing and hire thousands of workers. Now you tell me if its worth it for Nissan with a little nudge from the U.S. to throw Toyota under the bus. Nissan is counting on its Leaf electric vehicle to sell briskly. If they get enough momentum they can inflict a serious blow to Toyota's market share.
So you think I'm full of it right. Don't be so gullible. this is big business. To further add legitimacy to my little theory, how about this? NASA just announced the other day that there doing a major investigation into Toyota's accelerator problem. That strikes me as odd. Shouldn't the government let Toyota do their own investigation. My guess is the Obama administration insisted.
The U.S. is going to milk this for all that it's worth. All the while insisting that they have the publics safety in mind. That's part of it, but it's the smallest part. Expect a lot of media coverage as the U.S. drags Toyota through the dirt. This should open a big hole for Nissan and other manufacturers contracted to produce clean energy vehicles.
“We are determined to get to the bottom of unintended acceleration,” said Secretary LaHood. “For the safety of the American driving public, we must do everything possible to understand what is happening. And that is why we are tapping the best minds around.”
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced two major investigations designed to answer questions surrounding the issue of unintended vehicle acceleration.
The prestigious National Academy of Sciences – an independent body using top scientific experts - will examine the broad subject of unintended acceleration and electronic vehicle controls across the entire automotive industry. Separately, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is the Department of Transportation’s auto safety agency, has enlisted NASA engineers with expertise in areas such as computer controlled electronic systems, electromagnetic interference and software integrity to help tackle the issue of unintended vehicle acceleration in Toyotas.
Now I ask you. Would the United States government do all this if it didn't suspect some type of foul play.Of course they wouldn't. We have a lot riding on the green economy. Billions of dollars invested. From a business stand point its only natural to protect your investment. We don't want to get caught in between to feuding Asian automakers. WW II started for a lot less than this. Hopefully the U.S, can defuse the situation. And how do they diffuse it? They put all these big time scientists on the payroll. They come up with a theory. Initially Toyota will argue against theory to make it look good. They don't want the public to know that they play the industrial espionage game. After a couple of weeks Toyota will grudgingly accept the NASA theory. They give up a big part of their market share to Nissan but not everything.
Both studies – from the National Academy of Sciences and from NHTSA – will be peer reviewed by scientific experts. The total cost of the two studies is expected to come to approximately $3 million, including the cost of purchasing cars that have allegedly experienced unintended acceleration to be studied.
Already the scientists are pointing to EMI(Electromagnetic interference) as the problem. That's one way to diffuse a conspiracy. Toyota recently slashed its prices so they are not going to give up market share without a fight it seems.
Comments