I saw on story on ESPN about Toyota stepping into the NASCAR arena next racing season. Most of the people interviewed were very negative about it. Also, some of those same people are employees of America's automotive companies AND UAW union members. One guy said that Toyota doesn't belong in NASCAR because it's the "Great American Race" thus meaning only Dodge, Chevy, and Ford only race. We all know that American car companies are lagging behind for some time now. I'm somewhat into NASCAR and have owned three American cars before the GS. I had a '01 Dodge Intrepid before the GS and besides an issue with the rack and pinion (which was a common problem for the model year) it was all good until a deer made me total the car. My dad has always owned American cars throughout but last year settled for a Camry. He's a DIY'er and is not getting younger so reliabilty came into mind when deciding on a car. I "think" ( ) American cars have gotten better but there's probably a lot of catching up to do still. I chose to purchase a GS for it's looks and for reliabilty too. Unless I fall on some hard times, I can't see myself going back to sub-luxury yet alone a sub-luxury American car.

 

i tend to agree but... the chrysler 300c srt-8 i drive by at the local dealer on the way to work every day is tempting

 

I'm looking forward to seeing Toyota in NASCAR. They have done well in the truck series and should be doing well in NASCAR after a couple years of "tweaking it". I never did put much stock into which brand of car wins NASCAR, what's under that sheet metal is all custom fabricated by the teams.

 

in that series (i thnk it was outside the lines) what was funny, even with all the bashing that toyota got for coming into nascar--"Japanese firms dont belong", it was that the camry is the only car that is actually made in america...where the chevy and dodge were built in canada and the ford in mexico (some order like that)

 

This might actually make me start watching some races.

The funny part is that so many people actually DO put stock into the brand of car their favorite driver drives...so much so that they will go out and buy that same brand of vehicle for themselves.

Can you imagine the window stickers that are gonna be on people's cars now? A picture of a boy wearing a Ford shirt peeing on a Toyota emblem...LOL

 

I was going to make this exact point. Remember when Japanese companies had no business making compact pick-up trucks? Enter Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu, and Japanese pick-ups are now the best compacts. Remember when Japanese companies had no business making full-size pick-ups? Again, Toyota and Nissan took care of that problem, too. I think with NASCAR becoming more of a mainstream sport, this won't be nearly as much of a problem as it would have been, say, 10 years ago.

Javier

 

Moved here.........

 

sounds like the Big 3 are scared. They should be.

Why don't they join F1? Oh yea, they're broke cause they can't build cars Americans want.

 

Hmm, I'm more interested to see Montoya in NASCAR than Toyota in NASCAR. There are so many damn rules in that series that Toyota will not be any more or any less competitive than the other automakers. I get a really good laugh out of people who put NASCAR emblems on their car because it shares a nameplate with the templated cars.

Why don't the Big 3 join F1? How many Americans watch F1? How many of their core market watch F1? Not so shocking results: not many, and it wouldnt affect their revenue by a remotely significant amount, just their costs.

The Big 3 have always made cars Americans wanted, just not what they needed

 

Where have you been the last 4 years? Every other vehicle on the road is an American SUV. Exactly what Americans wanted. The road is also filled with American pickup trucks, which have been selling like hotcakes for the past 80+ years. The rental companies also love to gobble up Big 3 passenger cars, which are exactly what they want.

One of the biggest problems with the American car companies, from what I've learned, is the existing pension obligations. All the good ole' boys retiring, living high off the Big 3 hog.

 

for americans a race driving with a right turn is a challenge for them!!!

 

as with most major corporations established before the 90's

 

i don't recall anyone wanting a pontiac aztek!

 

Now we'll be able to discuss Ford-Chevy-Toyota and apple pie vs. sushi. Hot dogs and how a Japanese boy ate more on July 4'th than the boys here.

 

Allowing Toyota to race in NASCAR is probably the best thing NASCAR has done yet - I sparks a HUGE amount of interest (including me). I'll bet they will have record TV audiences when they televise their race events.
The people that are displeased that Toyota is in NASCAR is probably scared that a company that initially built little "econoboxs" could potentially beat them. Their probably old-school/die hard Chevy/Ford/Dodge and will never buy a import (let alone Toyota) car, regardless to how much some of their cars SUCK.
Good Job NASCAR