A fuel cell utilizes hydrogen with oxygen in atmospher to form water and electricity. The electricity is then used to power an electric motor. Thus, the fuel cell vehicle is an electric car except the battery is replaced w/ fuel cells.

The hybrid car is on the continuum from the conventional internal combustion powered car to the fuel cell. By widely adopting and investing in hybrid technology, automakers will pave the way towards making fuel cell vehicles a reality. The mass production of hybrid cars means that manufacturing lines and supply/demand will be better tailored to producing fuel cell cars.

And here’s another kicker:
The reverse process of hydrolysis is highly inefficient and expensive. Toyota’s fuel cell hybrid vehicles will adapt a battery much like today’s hybrids to capture regenerative energy and improve performance and fuel economy.

“In an Associated Press interview, Jim Press, president of Toyota Motor Sales USA, said: ‘I think everything will be a hybrid, eventually. It will either be a gas hybrid, a diesel hybrid, or a fuel-cell hybrid’ (Berman).�

Business is about the long-run AND about constant innovation – the second you cease moving forward, you are moving backword. And while GM can find and shape/bend facts to sound great on a marketing level, such as the quote of this article “welcome to the club Toyota” in the end SUBSTANCE is what counts and anyone with half a brain that takes the time to properly analyze the facts will conclude that Toyota has become a significant force and innovator while GM spends even more time on resolving structural issues than improving car quality and design.

Their quote is nothing more than a lame cheapshot that legally it can justify but not much beyond that…equivalent to Bush-speak which is all about inventing obscure self-justifying statements that serve no purpose other than to deflect current criticism…

Toyota might have misspoke, but GM did not seem to market hybrid systems to the masses. They might have developed those hybrid systems in the labs, but how about putting them to use for the mass public? Who were they selling those hybrids to? Just government entities? Why do I not see GM hybrids on the road?

GM:

1909 – Offers the world’s first limousine.
1912 – Cadillac offers the Delco Electric Self-Starter; becomes the first and only company to win the Dewar Trophy twice. The Delco system was a breakthrough and was the forerunner of the automobile electrical system as we know it today. You could now start a car with a push of a button instead of having to wind that heavy crank.
1922 – Innovated the windshield wiper and rearview mirror
1924 – Pioneered fast-drying Duco lacquer paints offering 500 colours – most competitors only offered black.
1934 – Introduces the world’s first independent front suspension
1940 – Introduces the first fully automatic transmission – the Hydra-matic
1949 – Introduced the world’s first pillarless two-door hard top body style, the Cadillac Coupe DeVille.
1965 – Introduces tilt/telescopic steering wheels.
1969 – Cadillac introduces the industry’s first closed cooling system, making overheated engines a thing of the past.
1971 – Introduces “Track Master”, an advanced, computerized rear-wheel skid-control braking system (which led to the development of ABS later)
1974 – Pioneered the air bag.
1975 – First manufacturer to use electronic fuel injection and introduces the catalytic converter.
1992 – Introduces the first 32-valve V8 engine.

Dont be so quick to say GM is no innovator.

If I put my car in NEUTRAL while not moving, so I could save a few drops of fuel, can I call my car a “Hybrid?”

GM:
1) Four-wheel steering (flop)
2) Big badges on Cadillacs (tacky)
3) Employee pricing

You’re right Brian, GM is clearly an innovator.

Toyota HSD system is expensive, and overrated. The efficiencies are really based on the gas engine itself, which is already pretty efficient in the first place. The Highlander’s and RX400h’s EPA numbers are far lower than estimated, and they’re not selling as expected.

GM’s system will have up to a 25% increase with a nominal price increase of about $1800… about 1/3rd the cost of the Toyota system, with far less complexity.

There are advantages to both systems, obviously.
And on a side note… GM’s Hybrid-Diesel buses are on the road in quite a few American cities. I wouldn’t count the General out just yet.

As for GM they are just trying to make themselves look good. Anything to make more than $10 billion in loss look a little better.

However, it is cool that you can plug into the truck just like a generator.

Only difference with Toyota is they will still be around in a couple of years making their hybrids. lol