The most troubled automaker of 2010? It's not Toyota...
03-10-10, 10:51 PM
#16
Lexus Test Driver
The headline is misleading and off. Toyota's current preceived problems relate to quality and potential defects. Chrysler's problems related to lack of product and slow sales. Not talking about the same two things here and the companies shouldn't be listed together.
03-11-10, 12:42 AM
#17
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Chrysler's problems are affecting their reputation, and their bad reputation and poor product is likely causing poor sales, leading to a vicious cycle. While not mentioned in the article, Chrysler cars also have numerous reliability problems, there are several NHTSA investigations going on with regard to Chrysler products that have not been recalled.
Also pay attention to the point the article is making; the most troubled automaker, not the automaker with the most recalls or most media attention.
Chrysler's problems are in-fact more serious than Toyota's.
So no, this article isn't all that misleading.
03-11-10, 02:20 AM
#18
Lexus Test Driver
Toyota problems relate to decreased sales for Toyota, and relate to their image and reputation.
Chrysler's problems are affecting their reputation, and their bad reputation and poor product is likely causing poor sales, leading to a vicious cycle. While not mentioned in the article, Chrysler cars also have numerous reliability problems, there are several NHTSA investigations going on with regard to Chrysler products that have not been recalled.
Also pay attention to the point the article is making; the most troubled automaker, not the automaker with the most recalls or most media attention.
Chrysler's problems are in-fact more serious than Toyota's.
So no, this article isn't all that misleading.
Chrysler's problems are affecting their reputation, and their bad reputation and poor product is likely causing poor sales, leading to a vicious cycle. While not mentioned in the article, Chrysler cars also have numerous reliability problems, there are several NHTSA investigations going on with regard to Chrysler products that have not been recalled.
Also pay attention to the point the article is making; the most troubled automaker, not the automaker with the most recalls or most media attention.
Chrysler's problems are in-fact more serious than Toyota's.
So no, this article isn't all that misleading.
Maybe I am just upset Toyota was even mentioned in the same sentence as Chrysler. The two companies are so far apart there shouldn't be any parallel lines or comparison. I worry the average Joe Shmoe glancing over Mr. Media's headlines may not be as bright to seperate the two. Hearing the words Toyota and Chrysler in the same sentence is no good for Toyota.
03-11-10, 03:47 AM
#19
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Great points.
Maybe I am just upset Toyota was even mentioned in the same sentence as Chrysler. The two companies are so far apart there shouldn't be any parallel lines or comparison. I worry the average Joe Shmoe glancing over Mr. Media's headlines may not be as bright to seperate the two. Hearing the words Toyota and Chrysler in the same sentence is no good for Toyota.
Maybe I am just upset Toyota was even mentioned in the same sentence as Chrysler. The two companies are so far apart there shouldn't be any parallel lines or comparison. I worry the average Joe Shmoe glancing over Mr. Media's headlines may not be as bright to seperate the two. Hearing the words Toyota and Chrysler in the same sentence is no good for Toyota.
.
03-11-10, 10:34 AM
#21
same crappy article as usual by CNN.. "most other manufacturers raised sales"... Uhm... GM sales went up only 8% and that was with huge fleet sales. So only Ford raised sales a lot, it did so by having 90% bigger incentives per car than Toyota.
Hows that different from Chrysler?
[QUOTE]Ford Motor Company (F) offered incentives costing $3,384 a year ago and $3,301 today. Toyota's year ago incentives cost was $1,682 compared with $1,833 this year. These figures are a testament to Toyota's strong brand identification with quality cars. As evidence, the company's sales in the first eight days of March spiked 50.5% compared with the same period a year ago. Company president Akio Toyoda expects March sales to make a full recovery.
A Gallup survey noted that 74% of Toyota customers say they have not lost confidence in the company and 82% believe the cars are safe. In the face of nearly 9 million recalled vehicles for acc[/QUOTE]
http://www.investorplace.com/experts...honda-hmc.html
Hows that different from Chrysler?
[QUOTE]Ford Motor Company (F) offered incentives costing $3,384 a year ago and $3,301 today. Toyota's year ago incentives cost was $1,682 compared with $1,833 this year. These figures are a testament to Toyota's strong brand identification with quality cars. As evidence, the company's sales in the first eight days of March spiked 50.5% compared with the same period a year ago. Company president Akio Toyoda expects March sales to make a full recovery.
A Gallup survey noted that 74% of Toyota customers say they have not lost confidence in the company and 82% believe the cars are safe. In the face of nearly 9 million recalled vehicles for acc[/QUOTE]
http://www.investorplace.com/experts...honda-hmc.html
03-12-10, 12:07 AM
#22
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03-12-10, 07:02 AM
#23
After the years that I spent working for Toyota and the family connections I have, I can tell you that I've never seen such a fiercly loyal group of people as Toyota owners. It's pretty insane actually...some of them are borderline cult-like.
03-12-10, 07:25 AM
#25
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03-12-10, 08:59 AM
#26
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For example, 4-5 years ago I first started commenting, in public, on the cheapening overall quality of a number of new Toyota-designed products, though I first actually started noticing it around 2000. Yet the public still kept buying them like crazy (especially the Camry). I myself bought a new Lexus IS300 in 2001 (that's how I first joined CL, a couple of years later), but that was a redone Toyota Altezza, which was of superior quality, and whose design dated back several years before that.
BTW, we also see cultish loyalty to large domestic pickup trucks like the F-150, Silverado, and Ram....especially with the F-150.
03-12-10, 12:04 PM
#27
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I'm one who doesn't agree with the notion that Toyota quality has decreased. On the contrary, in my view, they've consistently increased in overall quality as all cars have.
To some, perceived quality may seem less because the '90's used more soft materials. Today's materials and construction are more durable and doesn't wear nearly as quick.
Components are more tightly constructed and function with a better feel.
I guarantee you that today's Camry and Corolla last longer than the one's the '90's had to offer.
Never mind the stylistic superiority of today's interiors.
I'm saying this even after owning a '93 SC400 which was the best built car of the '90's with the best interior. My "cheap" Yaris interior feels more solidly built and will wear much less at 1/3 the price. Part of it is that plastic lasts longer than leather though.
To some, perceived quality may seem less because the '90's used more soft materials. Today's materials and construction are more durable and doesn't wear nearly as quick.
Components are more tightly constructed and function with a better feel.
I guarantee you that today's Camry and Corolla last longer than the one's the '90's had to offer.
Never mind the stylistic superiority of today's interiors.
I'm saying this even after owning a '93 SC400 which was the best built car of the '90's with the best interior. My "cheap" Yaris interior feels more solidly built and will wear much less at 1/3 the price. Part of it is that plastic lasts longer than leather though.
03-12-10, 04:10 PM
#28
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I'm one who doesn't agree with the notion that Toyota quality has decreased. On the contrary, in my view, they've consistently increased in overall quality as all cars have.
To some, perceived quality may seem less because the '90's used more soft materials. Today's materials and construction are more durable and doesn't wear nearly as quick.
Components are more tightly constructed and function with a better feel.
I guarantee you that today's Camry and Corolla last longer than the one's the '90's had to offer.
Never mind the stylistic superiority of today's interiors.
I'm saying this even after owning a '93 SC400 which was the best built car of the '90's with the best interior. My "cheap" Yaris interior feels more solidly built and will wear much less at 1/3 the price. Part of it is that plastic lasts longer than leather though.
To some, perceived quality may seem less because the '90's used more soft materials. Today's materials and construction are more durable and doesn't wear nearly as quick.
Components are more tightly constructed and function with a better feel.
I guarantee you that today's Camry and Corolla last longer than the one's the '90's had to offer.
Never mind the stylistic superiority of today's interiors.
I'm saying this even after owning a '93 SC400 which was the best built car of the '90's with the best interior. My "cheap" Yaris interior feels more solidly built and will wear much less at 1/3 the price. Part of it is that plastic lasts longer than leather though.
In other areas, you're right that it has increased since the 90s.
Many competitors have also improved their quality.
Point is, Toyota has to raise the bar even higher to separate itself from the competition. Not just in perceived quality, but in actual reliability/durability as well.
03-12-10, 04:11 PM
#29
Lexus Fanatic
I don't expect loyalty to Toyota to carry them and I think loyalty in the world of car buyers has been dwindling for years. They will need to move beyond this fiasco and continue to build products that rank near the top.
03-12-10, 08:26 PM
#30
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In other areas, you're right that it has increased since the 90s.
Many competitors have also improved their quality.