Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/11/17/The_Future_of_the_Auto_Industry_with_Toyotas_James_Lentz
James Lentz, President and COO of Toyota Motor Sales, predicts “we will probably see peak oil sometime around the end of the next decade.” Foreseeing a steady rise in the cost of gasoline, Lentz advocates for the continued development of alternatives to oil such as battery power and fuel cells.
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Though the auto industry seemed on the brink of collapse, the recent Cash for Clunkers program arguably helped to jump-start the car economy and get wheels moving again. But what does this really mean for cars and drivers today?
During the recession, will the demand for smarter, cleaner models continue, or will people choose to skimp on driving altogether? Industry veteran James Lentz will discuss the future of cars in America. – Commonwealth Club of California
Jim Lentz is president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. Lentz is also a member of the companys board of directors, and serves in a global advisory capacity as managing officer for the parent company Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan.
He has overall responsibility for sales, marketing and distribution for Toyota, Scion and Lexus products in the United States, in addition to overseeing all corporate matters at TMS.
Lentz attended the University of Denver where he earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and economics and a Masters in Business Administration Finance.
Duration : 0:2:5
[youtube yVEZE2vM2oM]
January 21st, 2010 at 8:33 pm
How are you going …
How are you going to make your battery powered cars without oil?
January 21st, 2010 at 8:33 pm
We need a graduated …
We need a graduated gass tax. Everyone get a basic amount, enough for basic needs, at a relatively low rate. Each additional say twenty gallons is taxed at an ever higher rate. You want to drive 150 miles to the cottatage and back every weekend? Fine. You’re going to pay for it. Big time.
January 21st, 2010 at 8:33 pm
gas is abundant in …
gas is abundant in the US?? Why has the prices gone through the roof -there is clear evidence that Natrual GAs is in DECLINE in North America- YES it is still abundant in the world- but it is hard to transport and this makes it a more regional source of energy- it costs a lot of money to build the infrastructure to turn natural gas to liquid and back again- and a lot of energy- besides Canada is using most of its gas for tar sands! IT’S ALL ABOUT THE RATE OF FLOW! It’s dangerous to spin this…
January 21st, 2010 at 8:33 pm
I feel his …
I feel his prediction is horribly amiss, we must also take into account Chindia, they purchased over 20 million cars in the middle of a global financial crisis FFS. The world is heading straight on to a global energy crisis, not to mention the fact that we are opnly talking vehicles, what about the other 95% of everyday products we use that contain crude oil?
Society as we know it, is doomed to fail, to many people, to much greed.
January 21st, 2010 at 8:33 pm
In 10 or 12 years …
In 10 or 12 years there isn’t going to be an economy left. Conventional oil peaked in may 2005.
January 21st, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Peak oil in 10 or …
Peak oil in 10 or 15 years is irrelevant . To much emphasis is placed on the actual timing which MISSES THE POINT COMPLETELY. As soon as global demand out paces supply we have in effect hit the peak and it can be argued that demand and supply curves diverged permanently in 2006. Oil supply may increase beyond 90mb/d but who really cares if demand is eg. 97mb/d??? Time to face the hard facts and forget “peak” oil. In the real world, supply vs. demand is all that matters in relation to price…
January 21st, 2010 at 8:33 pm
first of all the US …
first of all the US should increase their gas tax, and not by a little bit, keeping this third world level gas tax is really ludicrous (but then again the US is already, or soon will be a thirld world hole)
January 21st, 2010 at 8:33 pm
“The answer is …
“The answer is obvious. We have too much government right now.”
Obvious it is not. An easily demanded but meaningless & undefined platitude? Yes.
January 21st, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Cheers for the …
Cheers for the straight talking ceo!
January 21st, 2010 at 8:33 pm
@KasparHauser4 …
@KasparHauser4 true specially if more war starts
January 21st, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Keep in mind he is …
Keep in mind he is prediciting 10 or 12 years time left to PEAK oil. Do not misunderstand and think he is sayine we are going to run out of oil in 10 or 12 years.
January 21st, 2010 at 8:33 pm
What bullshit, we …
What bullshit, we passed peak oil, on light sweet crude a few years ago. It takes a lot more energy to crack the tougher junk being pumped out and mined now, like the Canadian tar sands. They’ve adjusted definitions to where they want “reality” to be. And they’ll do it again.