"Surely there is ONE inventor out there who will be true to his patent and make his own millions. Or maybe ONE automaker that can see a ripe plum in new technology?"
No, because the oil company says "You either take this Million $$$ or we will give it to somebody that will kill you". Given that choice, what would you do?
"No, because the oil company says "You either take this Million $$$ or we will give it to somebody that will kill you". Given that choice, what would you do?"
Take the plot to a movie producer. Uh...wait...it's been done.