Is Toyota unstoppable?
#11
Re: Is Toyota unstoppable?
Actually it is. Ford technology is what's in the Highlander Hybrid, Toyota "bought" it years ago when Ford was working on a Hybrid Explorer, before the Escape (conventional, not hybrid) ever saw full launch, though Toyota obviously made several changes and developments in the intervening years. After Ford wasn't pleased with the results of their technology, they went back to the boards and engineered the technologies on the FEH, then cross-licensed a bit because there were some similarities, something that's extraordinarilly common in todays auto market.
I also don't put too much credience into any executive for any company, given the number of times during a one on one interview I can raise questions on what they've just said, forcing them to rephrase it so they're no longer flat out lying to me. Such is the life of a journalist.
#13
Re: Is Toyota unstoppable?
I have nothing against Toyota, however, their cars are generally bland and uninspiring. The technology and reliability may be there but it's not packaged in a manner that will keep people coming back for more (at least long term).
The last 3 rental Camrys I have rented had poor interior assembly and/or as much flash molding as the last Ford/GM I drove. The new Corolla is a missed opportunity, and having sat in one feels severely de-contented. The new Scion xB is a porker and gets significantly less gas mileage and lost some of its agility (and is difficult to see out of). The Scion tC is stale. The hybrid Lexus models (in my opinion) are poor financial choices for the buyers.
Slow and steady wins the race, and it appears that Toyota is now willing to sacrifice in order to leap ahead in sales. They may succeed, but they risk not being able to maintain.
The last 3 rental Camrys I have rented had poor interior assembly and/or as much flash molding as the last Ford/GM I drove. The new Corolla is a missed opportunity, and having sat in one feels severely de-contented. The new Scion xB is a porker and gets significantly less gas mileage and lost some of its agility (and is difficult to see out of). The Scion tC is stale. The hybrid Lexus models (in my opinion) are poor financial choices for the buyers.
Slow and steady wins the race, and it appears that Toyota is now willing to sacrifice in order to leap ahead in sales. They may succeed, but they risk not being able to maintain.
#14
Re: Is Toyota unstoppable?
I do, and so does any one who knows the advantages. There is safety in numbers:
Even though the Prius has good sales numbers, it will be outsold by the Toyota Camry Hybrid. This is already true in Canada, where even the Honda Civic Hybrid has reached parity (against the Prius). Note that the Civic is the best-selling car in Canada for the last 10 years.
- Availability of parts
- Design faults and potential recalls are harder to ignore and deny
- Faster servicing and shorter waits for appointments
Even though the Prius has good sales numbers, it will be outsold by the Toyota Camry Hybrid. This is already true in Canada, where even the Honda Civic Hybrid has reached parity (against the Prius). Note that the Civic is the best-selling car in Canada for the last 10 years.
Last edited by spinner; 04-10-2008 at 03:26 AM. Reason: Added the Civic's sales position in Canada for illustration
#15
Re: Is Toyota unstoppable?
I don’t know if it is unstoppable, but it is a great car!!!
I think one thing that impresses me is the Camry Hybrid was one of the cars chosen to go on Taxi Duty in my home of New York City. http://www.1000www.autoblog.com/2007...ybrid-by-2012/
These cars are driven almost 24 hours a day (multiple drivers, multiple shifts), in the worse stop and go driving conditions imaginable and they probably average upwards of 60,000 miles a year!!!
I asked the Manhattan Toyota Dealer who said, “Most of the cars burn through their lifetime warranty in the first 9 months. They are holding up very well with a year in service.”
Please no jokes about needing the exterior made out of bullet proof Kevlar – it is my home town!!
I think one thing that impresses me is the Camry Hybrid was one of the cars chosen to go on Taxi Duty in my home of New York City. http://www.1000www.autoblog.com/2007...ybrid-by-2012/
These cars are driven almost 24 hours a day (multiple drivers, multiple shifts), in the worse stop and go driving conditions imaginable and they probably average upwards of 60,000 miles a year!!!
I asked the Manhattan Toyota Dealer who said, “Most of the cars burn through their lifetime warranty in the first 9 months. They are holding up very well with a year in service.”
Please no jokes about needing the exterior made out of bullet proof Kevlar – it is my home town!!
#18
Re: Is Toyota unstoppable?
I do, and so does any one who knows the advantages. There is safety in numbers:
Even though the Prius has good sales numbers, it will be outsold by the Toyota Camry Hybrid. This is already true in Canada, where even the Honda Civic Hybrid has reached parity (against the Prius). Note that the Civic is the best-selling car in Canada for the last 10 years.
- Availability of parts
- Design faults and potential recalls are harder to ignore and deny
- Faster servicing and shorter waits for appointments
Even though the Prius has good sales numbers, it will be outsold by the Toyota Camry Hybrid. This is already true in Canada, where even the Honda Civic Hybrid has reached parity (against the Prius). Note that the Civic is the best-selling car in Canada for the last 10 years.
Another reason I've heard is the thought that, "It takes Detroit 10 years to learn how to build any given car design." There are people out there (me included) who are very leery of being the first on the block to buy a new car. This kind of buyer wants to see a car with a ten year track record before plopping down the cash.
For me, my '06 Prius represents a real leap of faith that Toyota knows what they're doing with this new hybrid technology. I was almost "forced" to take the chance because in my situation, the combination of; my salary + 72 mile daily commute + 23.3mpg in my old Ford Taurus + gas prices probably averaging $4.00plus per gallon from '06 thru '12 = certain financial catastrophe. The risk that Toyota's hybrid technology will blow up in my face is the more acceptable risk, in my view.
#19
Re: Is Toyota unstoppable?
Even though the Prius has good sales numbers, it will be outsold by the Toyota Camry Hybrid. This is already true in Canada, where even the Honda Civic Hybrid has reached parity (against the Prius). Note that the Civic is the best-selling car in Canada for the last 10 years.
#20
Re: Is Toyota unstoppable?
Back in the 80s the best selling car in America was the Oldsmobile Cutlass.
At the time no one was interested in watercooled VWs and Olds was the strongest brand of GM. Times change....
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