hmmm...toyota didn't want to buy batteries, they wanted to make them and sell them. i'm sure li-ion/po is patented tech, so matsu/panasonic own it, toyota will still license it.
either way, plug-in hybrids and full ev are coming soon
the consumer wins. lower cost, higher reliability, higher volume...now they need to standardize charging parts/processes.
and increased supply will lower price, not the opposite. it looks like toyota/matsu are building enough for everyone
witholding supply to artificially inflate price, or gouging other manufacturers (while pandering to toyota) is another thing altogether.