GM Executive Says Toyota Quality is Down

[markusername]

http://money.cnn.com/2005/09/21/news...reut/index.htm

A top official at General Motors Corp. said Wednesday that rival Toyota Motor Corp.'s reputation for quality was no longer as rock solid as it once was, citing a rise in the number of product recalls at the top Japanese carmaker.

"For a long time, they've lived off a well-earned reputation, say in the area of product quality," said John Smith, GM (down $0.38 to $30.70, Research) Vice President of global product planning.

"But if you look at the objective data in the last three years, that well-earned reputation isn't as well-earned in recent years," Smith said at the Reuters Autos Summit, held in Detroit.

[saturnsteve]

Huh, a little mud slinging this morning heh?

[goblue]

Bold and gutsy - but maybe this is the approach GM needs to take. Take the Camry vs Impala - maybe its time for GM to start comparison advertising, or take swings at their actual hybrid fuel economy, or compare Sequoia's mpg to the Denali. One way or another, GM needs to dissasociate Toyota (and Japanese) from Quality, whether they do this by effective advertising, or better product - it needs to occur. I tend to think a combination is appropriate, and thats exactly what occuring. The question is can GM hold on long enough to make it happen across the board, not just with a handful of vehicles.

[TorchRedCorvette]

Originally Posted by saturnsteve

Huh, a little mud slinging this morning heh?

It is ABOUT time they started giving it back..

Like the ill-timed Washington Post article released about SUV trade-in values just as the GMT-900s were being unveiled.
It should have never made print.
Look up the authors and you will get my drift...
They should have mentioned the 15/17 Sequoia mileage!

The next Toyo or Honda recall (any day now) should be FRONT-PAGE news in the NY Times,Detroit News and the WSJ.

[01cavalier]

Yah, go up against Toyota! Ive known their quality has been suffering some lately, though I wouldnt blame it on recalls...especially from GM.

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

GM should not be commenting publicly on Toyota's own issues. This is mudslinging!

[1999 White C5 Coupe]

I wonder why GM's John Smith didn't comment on the number of safety recalls issued by GM?

I've been a GM customer for 36 years. My 1999 Corvette was recalled twice for safety defects; seatbelts jamming and a defective steering column lock. Both recalls were for items that have been standard equipment on GM cars for decades.

GM should quit criticizing its competitors and focus on improving the quality and reliability of its vehicles.

[Ming]

Originally Posted by Smaart Aas Saabr

GM should not be commenting publicly on Toyota's own issues. This is mudslinging!

Toyota's folks have commented to the press in the past about GM's "Engineering by Press Release" - so here's a good poke in the eye in return!

[GMFreak8]

Is this right?

GM leads the industry in product recalls, having called in 2 million vehicles in April, and another 804,000 units last month.

Toyota has also had its share, recalling 978,000 pickups and sport utility vehicles this month.

I seem to remember toyota recalling more than just 978,000 trucks and SUVs, didn't they also the avalon, and minivans? Why didn't they mention that? They made sure to mention all the major GM recalls. Typical import biased media.

How can they say GM leads in product recalls when Ford just announced recalls for 3.8 Million vehicles. Can't they bother to research the real facts.

[chadbarb99]

Oh no,that's just terrible (sarcastic)!!!

[drew770]

Brag and boast with great products and not words!!!

[JVal14]

And why can't GM raise an issue like this? Most of America takes Japanese durability as gospel. If it's not true, or if GM wants to express that they have comprable quality, then they have to stat chiseling away at this magical aura that Japanese automakers have. They have to get people thinking and doubting so they will actually research reliability, and not just assume the salesman is right when he says, "Of course it'll never break on you and have enormous resale value because it's a Toyota."

[GM_Fanatic]

GM has to play dirty sometimes, however, I would of held onto this card for a little bit longer.

[Canyonaro]

I honestly didn't see that much of mudslinging going on.

His comment was quick and not dwelling. I have heard Toyota among others have comments harsher and more consuming then the simple 3 sentences presented here. Those who don't like GM in any form here I don't understand why they would be here on this particular forum.

[espo19047]

Originally Posted by 1999 White C5 Coupe

I wonder why GM's John Smith didn't comment on the number of safety recalls issued by GM?

I've been a GM customer for 36 years. My 1999 Corvette was recalled twice for safety defects; seatbelts jamming and a defective steering column lock. Both recalls were for items that have been standard equipment on GM cars for decades.

GM should quit criticizing its competitors and focus on improving the quality and reliability of its vehicles.

This is an example of perception. A 2006 Vette is far removed from the 1999 model.