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Toyota Develops New Plant Species

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the green-not-just-a-paint-option dept.

oznigot writes "Yes, that's Toyota, the car company. In what appears to be a publicity stunt to promote their hybrid vehicle technology Toyota has developed a new species of plant. Of the Cherry Sage shrub family, the new plant absorbs nitrogen oxide and other substances from the air better than the original Cherry Sage." Update: 10/16 00:01 GMT by Z : Original link removed.

4 of 229 comments (clear)

  1. wait by 42Penguins · · Score: 5, Funny

    Of the Cherry Sage shrub family, the new plant absorbs nitrogen oxide and other substances from the air better than the original Cherry Sage.

    Does this mean that the famed "intelligent designer" is really Toyota?
    I welcome our new Cherry Sage developing Japanese overlords.

  2. The conversation in PR... by kosmicki · · Score: 5, Funny

    "We need a way to promote our new hybrid."

    "Recycling campaign?"

    "Nah, we need something different..."

    "How about a tree..."

    "What? Plant a tree?"

    "No... We make a new one!"

    "But we make automobiles..."

    "Exactly, no one will see it coming!"

    "How many botanists do we have on staff again? Oh, that's right, NONE!"

    "Relax, I'm sure a few guys on the line do it as a hobby."

  3. And of course... by Junta · · Score: 5, Funny

    Today would be the day I actually try to RTFA.... *shudder*

    --
    XML is like violence. If it doesn't solve the problem, use more.
  4. Re:Hybrids shifting attention by procon · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Your point about light trucks remaining the same weight is a good one, but it ignores the current elephant in the living room, SUVs. Light trucks served a different purpose 35 years ago; chiefly they were trucks. They were driven by experienced drivers, mostly for work, and nationwide they were far less common then cars.

    High & Mighty, a great book on the subject, painstakingly shows how American car companies shoe horned SUVs into the light truck category to avoid safety and environmental requirements. Free of these requirements, SUVs evolved to become as dangerous to fellow drivers as possible. They were built high, with bumpers that rode over other cars, and stiff under bodies that did impaled its victims. The government looked the other way, protecting American Motors, and then Chrysler, until it was too late.

    And your other point about the physics of big cars being fundamentally safer ignores all the improvements in car design that has occurred over the past 35 years. Cars are now built with air bags, crumple zones, and unibody construction. I'll let others who are more knowledgeable than me weigh in, but I think a modern Camry is actually safer for its occupants than a 1972 mid-sized car.

    In closing, nobody's evil here, I have close family who drive SUVs, and calling them names doesn't go over well at reunions. That being said, Randy Cohen, the New York Times' Ethicist eloquently concluded that it is selfish to drive a vehicle that puts others at mortal risk for style or comfort. Food for thought when deciding what our next vehicle should be.