Toyota not among carmakers invited to White House - Yahoo! News

"With gas prices climbing, an increasing number of consumers have turned away from Detroit's sport utility vehicles and pickups to more fuel-stingy options offered by Toyota and other foreign manufacturers.
Toyota is the world leader in hybrid technology and is researching batteries for electric cars, testing hydrogen fuel cells and working on clean diesel, ethanol and ethanol/gas blends. Those are among key elements of Bush's plan.
The White House said it displayed a modified Prius, Toyota's popular hybrid, at a electric car event this month. But no Toyota officials were present.
Some political and industry experts say Toyota still does not measure up politically on enough counts.
Alan Tonelson, a research fellow at the U.S. Business and Industry Council in Washington, said Toyota should be able to discuss energy issues with the others."