SW17LS

Seriously? The new Prius is a huge styling improvement from the outgoing car

xGS350x

I agree but I think they shouldve used their resources on making other cars better, instead of the Prius.

They spent alot of money on improving a "stepping stone" car. They did the same amount of work as it takes to make a high quality car and charged alot less. Lol.

SW17LS

They have more than enough resources to make all their cars better.

xGS350x

No they don't.

SW17LS

They absolutely do. Toyota has the resources to do anything it wants. They lack the drive and desire, but they don't lack the resources. When you look at what much smaller carmakers are doing with their lineups with far less resources than Toyota, it really is embarrassing for them.

The Prius is an important identity car for Toyota.

xGS350x

The lack of drive and desire isn't an objective measure. Their actions points more to cost cutting because of a lack of resources - going to smaller engines, moved away from real leather in their base models, dropping models.

SW17LS

Except that Toyota is a publically traded company and we can see their resources, and we know they have plenty./

Everything you describe is just a reality of the automotive climate we are in, every manufacturer is going to smaller engines to meet CAFE standards and deliver the fuel economy buyers want, every luxury car company has synthetic leather in their base models, they are all streamling models.

If MAZDA can develop an inline 6, Toyota can do way way more than they are doing...they just don't want to and they are relying on their brand equity to sell mediocre products...and it does and will for a while but ultimately will be self defeating for them. Thats why I much prefer Hyundai to Toyota today, because Hyundai is really really trying and it shows.

xGS350x

Are you referring to stocks? Stocks have poor liquid properties. Also just because one can see their resources, you're not seeing their debt, which pretty much negates all of their seeable resources.


This point doesn't hold either. You're saying that they are making cars for people that want good fuel economy, but why cater to these buyers? I'm a Lexus guy who wants a roaring V8! Why don't they listen to me?
It's blatantly cost cutting.

If it's new, it's somehow "better". Continuing to produce a well made product without changes doesn't mean there's less drive or motivation, it may just well mean that it was well engineered and that making it "new" has diminishing returns.

LeX2K

Corporations are primarily people not inanimate resources.

SW17LS

You clearly don’t invest. When a company is publicly traded, you can see all their financials, assets, debt, liquidity, everything. It’s all out there for everybody to see. Toyota is one of the most financially healthy companies there is.

Because fuel economy is the number 1 issue for new car buyers today. Every poll and piece of research shows this. I have posted it many times.

They don’t listen to you because you are not anywhere near the majority consumer.

And if you want a V8, why do you have a car with a nondescript 3.5L V6?!

Products need to be improved and upgraded over time to keep up with their competitors. Why would someone buy a new vehicle if it was the same as their old vehicle?

I mean, is this guy for real?

LeX2K

They are not, I've shown this many, many times on this forum. Toyota is leaning more to be at risk than healthy.

SW17LS

They absolutely are. Your perception of their debt profile is what is at issue there.

LeX2K

It's not my perception, don't make stuff up. I've shown it over and over again: objective, financial metrics. I'm not going to do it again you've seen what I've posted and choose to ignore it.

SW17LS

I and financial analysts disagree with you. Toyota is extremely far from any sort of financial risk.

Wilson2000

Most of your dislikes result from design decisions aimed to make the Prius the king of MPG's. Don't forget the focus of this model!

Too, it isn't fair to compare a plug-in hybrid with an EV. They are apples and oranges.