ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum

ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: ebewley on October 22, 2003, 04:06:26 AM

Title: Suzuki aims to launch fuel cell cars by 2010
Post by: ebewley on October 22, 2003, 04:06:26 AM

Reuters / October 22, 2003

MAKUHARI, Japan -- Suzuki Corp., Japan's top minivehicle maker, said on Wednesday it aimed to match General Motors' goal of commercializing fuel cell vehicles by 2010.

But Suzuki, which is one-fifth owned by GM, the world's biggest auto maker, said the target could be tough to meet due to the technical challenges of adapting fuel cells for minivehicles.

"There are still many hurdles to be cleared in terms of cost and production...The exact timing of commercialization will become clear in the next four or five years," said Suzuki President Hiroshi Tsuda in an interview at the Tokyo Motor Show.

GM, which has invested about $1 billion in developing fuel cells to power electric motors in vehicles, wants to be the first auto maker to sell one million fuel cell vehicles (FCVs).

Fuel cells create electricity without pollution by combining hydrogen and oxygen, with water as the only by-product.

To match the range of today's gasoline-powered vehicles, FCVs would have to carry hydrogen in large fuel tanks, posing a challenge for makers of small cars like Suzuki.

The lack of infrastructure to supply and store hydrogen is also a worry, but auto makers like GM are betting that as costs come down, consumer demand will follow.

"We believe that if we build it the market will come," said Lawrence Burns, vice president at General Motors.

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Title: Re: Suzuki aims to launch fuel cell cars by 2010
Post by: Zukipilot on October 22, 2003, 05:25:20 AM

I'm curious and waiting to see what the cost and performance of these vehicles will be. I bet they will be close to the electric hybrid car that Honda produced. No power, short range (if travling at any decent speed) and very expensive(for an economy car)

If GM and Suzuki can produce these at a decent price, with average performance and looks, they just might take off.
Zig

Title: Re: Suzuki aims to launch fuel cell cars by 2010
Post by: Yankee Tim on October 22, 2003, 08:50:17 AM

Ho hum.

I didn't read the word "Katana" anywhere in that press release. >:(

You'd think they would make me one just to shut me up.