I'm trying to stay non-biased as I post on PriusChat and other such sites quite a bit but I think there's still a little bit of Honda favoritism in there somewhere. Some people just kill me though, because it's not enough to have the on-average most efficient model out there, somehow there is still this desire to hold anybody else that tries to be successful back. That's why I try not to be so brand specific despite having owned Honda's as a majority.
I'll have to dig it out of all of the research I've been saving. But it is a German company on the transmission and another European company on something in the power system. If you Google Prius and patent you'll get a list. One of the pages had the Court ruling in pdf form. It's a case of 'he with the most money wins'.
I'll post back with some of the links as it really is interesting (one of my hobbies), just last week Microsoft LOST a ruling regarding the XML format they use for the new Word documents, they are supposed to STOP selling it!?!
P.S. I didn't see the Ford issue, what was that about?
P.S. I didn't see the Ford issue, what was that about?
As I recall, shortly after Ford introduced the design for the Escape Hybrid system, one of Ford's own patent people, engineer or attorney, whichever, noticed that Ford's hybrid system was dangerously too close to Toyota's HSD system, so they approached Toyota with an agreement..no details beyond that. Apparently, Ford and Toyota reached a mutual agreement out of court.
On the German case, I do now recall something about an old design being proffered as proof of infringement...I thought that it was another case of two companies inadvertantly reaching the same design, and the company that actually showed proof of concept and manufacturer (Toyota) prevailed. Have to look deeper though...
Hmm, wonder now if either Lohner or Porsche will sue GM over the basic design of the Volt? After all, in 1900, Porsche designed a similar extended electric Lohner-Porsche vehicle that is eerily similar to the Volt's system (ICE driving a generator, powering batteries, that in turn power electric motors, with no direct connection between the ICE and the drive wheels).
Recall that Selden sued Ford back in the 1920s for patent infringement of the automoble also, but the courts then ruled that while Ford actually made an automobile, Selden only had some loosely written documents and no protoypes or other actual products to prove their side. This was all before Ford was the powerhouse of industry and money that they are now.
Invention is such a harrowing road to follow, full of pitfalls.....
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2010 Insight EX/NAVI Clear Sky Blue Metallic
ex- 2005 Prius Millennium Silver Metallic
pkg#6
ex-2004 Civic Hybrid Opal Silver Blue Metallic 5spd manual
ex- 29 other vehicles
It's funny you mention 1900 era electric vehicles. For a time it looked like electric would be the way to go, then oil companies got involved, and now we're back at the beginning. So indeed, the wheel does turn.
I'm just happy to see alternatives and more efficiency finally coming to market. As far as Honda and Toyota, it is all up to personal taste. If everyone liked the same thing we would only need one model of car. I just don't get the people who have to talk down things 'they' don't like. That is , after all, what the free-market is for
Oh, I agree. Each vehicle has its pros and cons and only you can determine the best for you.
hm, I am not sure how viable electric cars were back in the 1900s once you left the confines of the city; the petrol engine certainly helped portable power in to the hinterlands.
When my grandfather drove a family in their Pierce-Arrow from Michigan to Pasadena in 1920, there were not many places to stop, let alone refuel or recharge. They camped along the way, and it was up to grandfather to keep that car running and in good repair. Without the portabilty of gasoline, I doubt the trip would have happened until much later. (I shudder to thing what that 11 liter six drank for fuel then).
My goal was to find a 40MPG hatchback in a good price range (>$27K). Thankfully, Honda finally decided that hatchbacks were ok, else I would have either kept my Prius another year, or bought a close out 2009 Prius..
Still don't understand why Honda will not make a hatchback HCH.
__________________
2010 Insight EX/NAVI Clear Sky Blue Metallic
ex- 2005 Prius Millennium Silver Metallic
pkg#6
ex-2004 Civic Hybrid Opal Silver Blue Metallic 5spd manual
ex- 29 other vehicles
I'm trying to stay non-biased as I post on PriusChat and other such sites quite a bit but I think there's still a little bit of Honda favoritism in there somewhere. Some people just kill me though, because it's not enough to have the on-average most efficient model out there, somehow there is still this desire to hold anybody else that tries to be successful back. That's why I try not to be so brand specific despite having owned Honda's as a majority.
Ya know, I read the links and surrounding posts that you set up, and I don't see the negativity; in fact, one even called out the other and he backed down on the IMA questions. Overall, that discussion was quite civil compared to the political stuff in Freds House, etc
I am not certain about the 'Toyota learned from Honda' comment, except that everyone learns from the past and present...Are you saying that Toyota copied Honda or infringed upon a Honda design?
In any case, the level of vitriole of PriusChat against Honda is no worse than some have shown in this forum against Prius and Toyota; the difference is who is getting gored
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2010 Insight EX/NAVI Clear Sky Blue Metallic
ex- 2005 Prius Millennium Silver Metallic
pkg#6
ex-2004 Civic Hybrid Opal Silver Blue Metallic 5spd manual
ex- 29 other vehicles
What i truly don't understand is the whole my dick is bigger than yours mentality that we all have about our respective hybrids. It doesn't matter to me. Prius or Insight or Fusion........who cares. I liked the Insight's look and price better than the Prius.
Really aren't we all kind of working for the same thing driving hybrid and that is being green? That's what should really matter here. I guess all i can say is we american's see our vehicles as a social status and not what they really are and that is a tool to get us from point A to point B.
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2010 Insight EX Spectrum White Pearl
43% Tint front windows
10% Tint rear windows & hatch.
Blue LED Domelight
More coming.......
What i truly don't understand is the whole my dick is bigger than yours mentality that we all have about our respective hybrids. It doesn't matter to me. Prius or Insight or Fusion........who cares. I liked the Insight's look and price better than the Prius.
Really aren't we all kind of working for the same thing driving hybrid and that is being green? That's what should really matter here. I guess all i can say is we american's see our vehicles as a social status and not what they really are and that is a tool to get us from point A to point B.
Speak for yourself, I bought 3 hybrids due to MPG, not environazi concerns...
__________________
2010 Insight EX/NAVI Clear Sky Blue Metallic
ex- 2005 Prius Millennium Silver Metallic
pkg#6
ex-2004 Civic Hybrid Opal Silver Blue Metallic 5spd manual
ex- 29 other vehicles
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