Automotive News: Toyota execs walked barefoot to school … through a blizzard
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Automotive News: Toyota execs walked barefoot to school … through a blizzard
Interesting article with 2 videos, taken at the Toyota Museum in Gardena...celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Toyota USA.
Article:http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...307230001/1128
Videos:http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../70713039/1128
Snippet of the article beginning...
And near total-disaster in the the late 70's:
Article:http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...307230001/1128
Videos:http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../70713039/1128
Snippet of the article beginning...
LOS ANGELES -- Toyota's inexorable climb through the sales ranks has led to a popular belief that success was preordained for the Japanese automaker in America.
Not so.
There have been plenty of hiccups, nervous times and downright edgy situations during Toyota's 50 years in America.
For instance, the launch of Lexus has become the stuff of legend. But did you know that there was a staunch cadre within Toyota that wanted to see Lexus perish before it was even born? That Toyota's American brass fought with Japan over building a real full-size pickup with V-8 power more than 20 years ago? That dealers initially gave the cold shoulder to Toyota's entry into the captive finance market?
Toyota has faced challenges since its arrival in 1957. Its first effort in this country was a spectacular failure. The Toyopet Crown was underpowered, undersized and underwhelming. After selling fewer than 300 cars, Toyota loaded its remaining inventory onto ships back home. Dealers had to survive on a meager diet of Land Cruisers for five years.
Not so.
There have been plenty of hiccups, nervous times and downright edgy situations during Toyota's 50 years in America.
For instance, the launch of Lexus has become the stuff of legend. But did you know that there was a staunch cadre within Toyota that wanted to see Lexus perish before it was even born? That Toyota's American brass fought with Japan over building a real full-size pickup with V-8 power more than 20 years ago? That dealers initially gave the cold shoulder to Toyota's entry into the captive finance market?
Toyota has faced challenges since its arrival in 1957. Its first effort in this country was a spectacular failure. The Toyopet Crown was underpowered, undersized and underwhelming. After selling fewer than 300 cars, Toyota loaded its remaining inventory onto ships back home. Dealers had to survive on a meager diet of Land Cruisers for five years.
When Toyota's new regional staffers showed up to take over the operation, all the paperwork was gone.
John Turmell, known as "Mister Fix-It" over his 30-year Toyota career, recounts that none of the new crew even knew where their dealerships were. To make things worse, the blizzard of 1978 hit, the roof of Toyota's residence hotel collapsed, and Toyota's Eastern Seaboard inventory was underwater in the flooded Port of Boston. Yeah, no sweat.
John Turmell, known as "Mister Fix-It" over his 30-year Toyota career, recounts that none of the new crew even knew where their dealerships were. To make things worse, the blizzard of 1978 hit, the roof of Toyota's residence hotel collapsed, and Toyota's Eastern Seaboard inventory was underwater in the flooded Port of Boston. Yeah, no sweat.
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