GM president not worried about Toyota

[coolcaddy]

Executive touts GM's strength in Texas work force and sales
G. Chambers Williams III
Express-News Automotive Writer



So what if Toyota is coming to San Antonio, says Gary L. Cowger, president of General Motors North America.

"GM is already here," he said Wednesday during a kickoff of the automaker's AutoShow in Motion event at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, where almost all of GM's 2005 model vehicles are on display through Sunday for consumers to see, sit in and even test-drive.

Texas is not only the largest market for GM; the company also is the state's single-largest employer, with 5,500 workers in 27 facilities across the state. That includes the Arlington Assembly Plant, which for now is the only auto manufacturing plant in the state, Cowger said.

"We have built 7.5 million vehicles in Texas, and besides our own 5,500 employees, we have 480 dealers in Texas who employ an additional 25,000 people," he said.

He noted that just since 1996, GM has invested $750 million in the Arlington plant, where the company builds full-size pickups and SUVs.

GM has a 33 percent share of the Texas automotive market, compared with a 28 percent share in the nation as a whole, Cowger said. "That makes Texas very important to us."

And as for Toyota trucks as competitors to GM, the Japanese automaker doesn't come close, he said.

"Toyota has yet to sell 100,000 full-size pickups a year," Cowger said. "We sell that many every month. We sell more of our Chevrolet Avalanche in one year than Toyota sells Tundras."

The Avalanche is a niche product — a combination SUV-pickup.

Toyota is building a plant on the South Side that is expected to begin assembly of full-size Tundra pickups beginning in 2006.

"We're in Texas in a big way," Cowger said. "No manufacturer has the presence and structure we have in Texas. Texas has been good for us for the past 50 years."

source

[Buick61]

Typical corporate arrogance. Toyota sold only two cars in 1958. VW only sold 2 in 1949. Nissan introduced the compact pickup in 1959. Nothing special at the time, but what happened in the '60s, '70s, and '80s?? And American Honda didn't exist until the '70s. The Giant was caught sleeping. Complacency and arrogance is a bad thing in a dynamic industry.

[Tiger]

This was obviously in response to Toyota swagger that they were attempting to become "The Truck of Texas" in the face of Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge.

Given Toyota's bold statements, I'm surprised they didn't respond to it sooner. What would you like them to say? Yay! Toyotas are great!!!

[GM-10]

Cowger should have said they are a 'Worthy Competitior' --because they are.

But one has to wonder if the comment was taken out of context.

I really don't think GM is arrogant anymore.

The key phrase in that article is not even directly quoted.

[HEVguy]

I think he is just making a point that GM is a big supporter in Texas, and reminding Texans of that. Otherwise, it did seem a little arrogant about sales, but I think he was trying to bring the contributions into appropriate relative scales. Otherwise, GM should fight for their share of coodos and media attention for all they contribute to Texas.

[goblue]

It would be fine to make sales comments like that if we were willing to back it up with a superior product before 2007.

[dindak]

I don't think GM is really "not worried".

I think they are getting ready with new interiors and new models.

[SUPERBADD75]

Originally Posted by goblue

It would be fine to make sales comments like that if we were willing to back it up with a superior product before 2007.

wasn't it "cincy go blue" before? ah, no matter. you make a good point, blue. the Tundra is about to be completely redesigned and will become a true player in the full-size market, something the T-100 and Tundra have never actually been. the Tundra was always considered a 7/8 scale pickup, never quite full-size, but not compact either. the T-100 was ugly and a bad effort. the Tundra is a great truck in terms of build quality, amenities, and refinement. it's just not big enough. the next Tundra will no doubt be built with the same theme in mind, just in a bigger package. truck buyers of today aren't all about "roughing it", they buy trucks to tow boats, RVs, motorcycles, what ever, but want something that is comfotable to drive on a daily basis. i think this is where Toyota may hold an advantage over GM. especially until GM redesigns their truck line. don't sell Toyota short. the Nissan Titan, although not selling as well as they wanted it to, is a great effort at a full-size Japanese truck, and i expect Toyota to build one even better. Toyota has more money, resources, and experience than Nissan does, so i bet the Toyota will be so close to the American competition that it may scare some of you. certainly it won't be a best seller right away, and since it won't offer the cab/bed/engine choices of the domestics it probably never will be. it will, however be there to take customers away that would have bought an American truck. that should scare GM.

[MTRANS]

Over 60% of full size trucks are diesels until Toyota comes out with one they will always be a small niche truck.

[Maverick]

I don't think Cowger's being arrogant. After all, he is in Texas- you ought to be able to trust that Texans would rather buy great American trucks (especially when you've got a loyal customer base) over a Toyota or a Nissan.

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by Buick61

Typical corporate arrogance. Toyota sold only two cars in 1958. VW only sold 2 in 1949. Nissan introduced the compact pickup in 1959. Nothing special at the time, but what happened in the '60s, '70s, and '80s?? And American Honda didn't exist until the '70s. The Giant was caught sleeping. Complacency and arrogance is a bad thing in a dynamic industry.

54 Years Later GM is still the biggest Automaker. it has added, Subaru, Saab, Isuzu, Suzuki, to its holdings... Its courting, Fiat, recently added Daewoo and is quickly becoming the largest manufacturer in China and India... the Markets that matter in the future.
It has a lead in Brazil, south Africa, and Chevy, Opel and Cadillac are back steaming ahead in Europe. It has one of the most extensive vehicle assembly network in Africa, aquired russian Nova... Why the heck should GM be concerned about Toyota?

There are issues to work through, but do not misunderstimate GM, you are like JforbesK, misunderetimating GW...

[mgescuro]

I don't think Cowger is arrogant either. And if reality is that a Chevy niche vehicle outsells the Tundra, then that's pretty good news.
But I certainly don't believe that GM is going to rest on those laurels for long. The trucks are undergoing a revision and should be out by 2007-8, right??

I'm more concerns about GM's cars over the next 3-5 years. Also GM's penetration in emerging countries where it is obvious Toyota and VW are also pushing.
GM really needs to start pushing the Daewoos and Chevys in some countries. Strengthen Holden in Australia as Toyota seems to be gaining steam there. And really push Buick and Cadillac in China where they brands are strong.
Ultimately, GM needs to begin boosting Subaru and Suzuki's and Cadillac's market share in Japan... and start competition in Toyota's homebase.

[TiburonJT]

The only part of this that sounds arrogant is the first sentence, and that is not a quote. Even if any quote did sound arrogant, this is an article, whether the statement is a result of arrogance is indeterminable because the context is not fully known.

Even if GM were worried, it might not be a good idea to say they are worried.

Based on LaserWizards comment at the end of all his posts, I would guess that he often falls for quotes that are taken out of context . . .

[paul3230]

Come on now!! I everyone on this board is actually glad that GM fired something back at Toyota. Heck, Toyota's been the won talking about taking over the number one spot and Toyota Country and all this crap. Bout time someone stood up with some balls!

[tgagneguam]

Originally Posted by paul3230

Come on now!! I everyone on this board is actually glad that GM fired something back at Toyota. Heck, Toyota's been the won talking about taking over the number one spot and Toyota Country and all this crap. Bout time someone stood up with some balls!

Not everyone... It's hard to believe what you read, as many statements are taken out of context to make for interesting news. However, the sentiment is there, and it worries me. It's an egregious error for GM to be anything but humble. If in fact Cowger's statements were made in respone to some recent statements Toyota made - honestly, I don't think they are - why is a response necessary?