Re GM & Toyota announcement
GM & Toyota are taking a wise approach to advanced technology vehicles. Unlike their competition, they are not tying themselves down to one method or technology at this time. They are developing electric, hybird electric, & fuel cell vehicles. To me this is smart. They will not be betting the bank on any one thing and it allows them more room to manouver and change direction. To me, this is where the Dailmer thing comes in. They have invested so much time and money into soley or predominantly the PEM fuel cell vehicle, they have no choice but to continue. Todays press release was kind of a statement saying GM & Toyota were not going to back themselves into a corner. Initially, I did not find it a ringing endorsement of the fuel cell all together and found it somewhat disappointing when they said they were working on their own fuel cell technology. This made me question any possible role of GLE and Delphi, were we out of the loop? The answer to that I found further in the press conference, no, we are not.
The following is a direct quote made in the news conference by Harry Pearce - GM Vice Chairman. You may hear this news conference at the following site.
webevents.broadcast.com
The following quote occurs at approximately 47:00 into the conference on real audio.
"There is no question that alot of the technology that will be required for these advanced technology vehicles will come from the supplier community, alot of the engineering will come from the supplier community. If I were resident in the supplier community and I was approached by a partnership or collaboration (GM & Toyota) that was represented a 1/4 of the world market, I would probably want to make substantial investment and be willing to stretch and take technology risks to develop the componentry, systems, and subsystems that will be a part of these vehicles."
Again, this confirms that although GM is developing their own technology, they are doing alot of it through their suppliers.
Yes, It is not an all out endorsement for strictly fuel cell development. It is nice to see such a wise approach on the otherhand however. Once GM & Toyota has chosen their winner, then we will hear more. We also must note their may be more than one winner. We however maintain our position in their development loop through the endorsement/ development from Delphi, a supplier for GM.
We need to watch closely the press from Delphi with regard to other developmental directions they may take concurrent to working with GLE. I do get some sort of comfort in the fact however that Delphi until soon from now is part of GM and much of what happens within its new formed "self" is directed by GM. Delphi would not choose to work with GLE if GLE did not have something to contribute to an eventual solution. Its not cast in stone however that in the end this will be their technology solution. Likewise however, it is not cast in stone that Ballard will be DCX or Ford's. Unfortunately they have chosen a one lane highway and must find it difficult to slow down enough to find any exit, we therefore see a constant reworking of the same technology. One company, both, or neither may ultimately be successful. I do still however think that acknowledgement of the GLE fuel cells technology by Delphi, is still an acknowledgement of the same by GM. Direct or indirect. Implied, or otherwise. GM & Toyota choose not to limit their choices and have choosen not to take the one lane highway, for them, it should be easier to change directions, should they find it necessary.
Chip |
