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People Need 14mpg SUVs says Toyota

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When I bought my first car, I first went to the Toyota in Valencia. I walked out soon after when they tried to sell me a car by comparing it to finding a woman and then highlighting how cool spoilers were. What a bunch of fucking morons. Apparently, the troglodyte breed at Toyota goes up the corporate ladder. Siel Ju, aka GreenLAGirl, at the LA Times sticks it to Toyota after visiting the LA Auto Show this week:

You would think the maker of the Prius would be totally on green message now, especially considering how popular the Prius has become in SoCal. In some ways, yes, it was: Toyota did introduce its hydrogen fuel cell-powered Toyota Highlander -- which is still a concept SUV... But I was shocked when Bob Carter, vice president and general manager of Toyota, said at the news conference that consumer demand here is still about conventional trucks and SUVs, and declared that "many buyers have no alternative" to these. Then he went on to talk about how Americans "need" trucks and SUVs because we the people are so active and outdoorsy.

The new Toyota Sequoia has 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway for a two-wheel-drive, 13/18 for a four-wheel drive with the 5.7-liter engine. Toyota is currently lobbying against higher fuel efficiency standards.

Video originally posted on "Scuffle at the L.A. Auto Show: environmentalists vs. Toyota" at latimes.com

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