Sign In Join 



Midsize Sedans 2.0

13254 messages,  Last post on Nov 28, 2009 at 9:27 AM

You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Passat, Mazda MAZDA6, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Aura, Car Comparisons, Sedan


Messages Page 1125 of 1326
1
...
1122
1123
1124
1125
1126
1127
1128
...
1326
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion

#11241 of 13254
Re: EPA certifies Fusion Hybrid [tenpin288] by berri
Dec 30, 2008 (6:30 pm)
Reply

Replying to: tenpin288 (Dec 30, 2008 5:44 pm)

I believe Ford may be honest on this one. There is a whole business out there using patents (many of them pretty shaky patents at that) and threatened litigation to extort money. The lawyers are once again further helping America lose its competitiveness and Congress just sits on its ass taking lobbyist payola while Americans keep losing jobs or paying inflated prices because of this nonsense. The patent is an important protection, but not when they are issued for marginal at best concepts that often build off concepts already around. This issue needs to be fixed, but it probably won't since the Bar Associations have plenty of lobbyists to help keep the over supply of attorney's employed.
#11242 of 13254
Re: EPA certifies Fusion Hybrid [tenpin288] by elroy5
Dec 30, 2008 (9:50 pm)
Reply

Replying to: tenpin288 (Dec 30, 2008 5:44 pm)

tenpin, I was not the one who brought this subject up.
 
We licensed 21 patents from Toyota because our hybrid system design was close enough in design to what Toyota did that we wanted to ensure there were no accusations of infringement.
 
How did these two designs become so similar? Pure coincidence?
None of the Ford guys knew anything about Toyota's hybrid system, or how it worked? And didn't use that knowledge, to help them along? Please
Actually, why would the consumer care where the hybrid technology came from? As long as the system works. The fact that Ford people are so defensive about it, says to me, they have their own doubts, as to how original Ford's system is.
#11243 of 13254
Re: EPA certifies Fusion Hybrid [berri] by bpizzuti
Dec 31, 2008 (9:05 am)
Reply

Replying to: berri (Dec 30, 2008 6:30 pm)

Toyota will probably threaten Ford with something again, for several reasons:
 
1. How dare some silly American manufacturer develop a better hybrid system than Toyota?
2. Toyota has the cash to sue, Ford can't afford to get into litigation right now
3. Toyota is jealous of the F150, and might want to reskin it and sell it as the next Tundra
 
Luckily the other Fusion models look extremely wonderful and candidates for Car of the Year from someone. I want one, and I'll take an I4 SEL if I can't get the Hybrid (I drive 90% highway anyway, paying the hybrid premium is a questionable move despite how well the Fusion Hybrid does on the highway).
#11244 of 13254
Re: EPA certifies Fusion Hybrid [akirby] by mickeyrom
Dec 31, 2008 (9:32 am)
Reply

Replying to: akirby (Dec 30, 2008 11:46 am)

Well if it's not the same,it surely is similar enough to make me wonder.Nothing wrong with that,it's inevitable that there will be similarities.Heck, aren't all cars similar in many many ways?
#11245 of 13254
Re: EPA certifies Fusion Hybrid [elroy5] by akirby
Dec 31, 2008 (10:22 am)
Reply

Replying to: elroy5 (Dec 30, 2008 9:50 pm)

How did these two designs become so similar? Pure coincidence?
 
Yes, it was PURE COINCIDENCE. When two people write software that does similar functions it often turns out the same. There are only so many ways to do something. It happens ALL THE TIME - you just don't normally hear about it.
 
You (and others) just can't bear the thought that Ford did something good - on their own - and you just have to find something to detract from that.
 
Can we stop with all the conspiracy theories now?
#11246 of 13254
Re: EPA certifies Fusion Hybrid [akirby] by bpizzuti
Dec 31, 2008 (1:15 pm)
Reply

Replying to: akirby (Dec 31, 2008 10:22 am)

Can we stop with all the conspiracy theories now?
 
Nope, because like you said, some just can't bear the thought of Ford doing something good. Many of them work for Toyota.
#11247 of 13254
Re: EPA certifies Fusion Hybrid [bpizzuti] by plekto
Dec 31, 2008 (11:59 pm)
Reply

Replying to: bpizzuti (Dec 31, 2008 9:05 am)

You've got to be kidding. Toyota's "hybrid" is really a dual engine vehicle and not a true hybrid.
 
A proper hybrid uses a high efficiency on-board generator(pick your poison) to make electricity to charge the batteries and electric motors. There is no transmission as the car is basically an electric vehicle with a greatly extended range.
#11248 of 13254
Re: EPA certifies Fusion Hybrid [plekto] by backy
Jan 01, 2009 (5:54 am)
Reply

Replying to: plekto (Dec 31, 2008 11:59 pm)

That is not a mainstream definition of "hybrid." But for the sake of discussion, which mid-sized sedans qualify as hybrids under your definition?
#11249 of 13254
Re: EPA certifies Fusion Hybrid [backy] by bpizzuti
Jan 01, 2009 (6:36 am)
Reply

Replying to: backy (Jan 01, 2009 5:54 am)

None. He's describing the Volt. Also the same system they use in trains, where it's referred to as "diesel-electric." There's nothing hybrid about it because it doesn't use a combination of both methods to propel the car (hence the word "hybrid" versus "gas-electric" or "on-board-generator)" etc).
#11250 of 13254
Re: EPA certifies Fusion Hybrid [bpizzuti] by plekto
Jan 01, 2009 (9:51 pm)
Reply

Replying to: bpizzuti (Jan 01, 2009 6:36 am)

The problem with the Prius is that it needlessly switches between the two systems.
 
No, production car currently uses such a system, though they should, since it would cost a lot less and easily get 100mpg.
 
***(from wiki)***
In 1901, while employed at Lohner Coach Factory, Ferdinand Porsche designed the "Mixte", a series-hybrid vehicle based on his earlier "System Lohner-Porsche" electric carriage. The Mixte broke several Austrian speed records, and also won the Exelberg Rally in 1901 with Porsche himself driving. The Mixte used a gasoline engine powering a generator, which in turn powered electric hub motors, with a small battery pack for reliability. It had a range of 50 km, a top speed of 50 km/h and a power of 5.22 kW during 20 minutes.
 
The first such vehicle was exactly as I described, so by definition, such a design IS a hybrid vehicle as well. The Prius and Honda methods are needlessly cumbersome and complicated.

Messages Page 1125 of 1326
1
...
1122
1123
1124
1125
1126
1127
1128
...
1326
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion
To POST a message, please Sign In.

New? Join Now!

Forum Tools

Please sign in.
Email Address:

Password:

Forgot Password?

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s)

Advanced Search

Browse by Vehicle



View All Vehicles
Advertisement
Ask the Community
See What People Are Asking

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic


View All Topics

Today's Chats

Advertisement