Toyota claims that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office have issued more patents to the company than to any other automaker in 2012. According to the Japanese automaker, a survey by the Intellectual Property Owners Association has been conducted, which shows that Toyota was granted 1491 patents last year. On the other hand, Honda and General Motors say that they are the leading automakers for fuel-cell technology patents. Clearly the patent race is not limited to the mobile industry, where Apple and Samsung have been on war for a long time.
Basically, the number of patents demonstrates a car manufacturer’s commitment to achieve new environmental, safety and technological advancements along with their success in research and development. Patents also reflect the capability of an automaker for future innovations. Toyota has received 30 percent more patents in 2012 than the previous year, which according to them, illustrates the increasing focus on customer’s experience with Toyota products. Two Toyota engineers working at the company’s US research lab have won 20 patents last year.
Honda and General Motors are not behind when it comes to the patent race. Both the carmakers have come up with a statement about their patent statistics on fuel cell research. Honda and GM together had teamed to generate a technology for producing the nation’s first hydrogen-fueled vehicle. Their intention to make fuel cell-powered cars is to reduce the usage of petroleum-based gasoline. These vehicles use fuel made from natural gas or sunlight. Despite the counter attack by the rivals, Toyota stands tall with its claim.
