Toyota Estimates 07 Production @ 9.34 Million Units; May Top GM

[Perian]

Link: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...014/BUSINESS01

Toyota announces goal that's likely to push it past GM

By YURI KAGEYAMA - ASSOCIATED PRESS

NAGOYA, Japan — Toyota announced today a global production target of 9.42 million vehicles for next year, increasing the odds that the Japanese manufacturer will surpass General Motors Corp. as the world’s No. 1 automaker.

GM does not give targets for next year, but it has been forced to scale back production recently, seeing its market share eroded by Asian automakers, including
Toyota, which have a reputation for better mileage.

Although Detroit-based GM says the perception that its cars are gas-guzzlers is unfair and inaccurate, it is undergoing massive restructuring after racking up more than $10.6 billion in red ink last year and $3 billion more the first nine months of this year.

Toyota, on the other hand, is on a roll, reporting record profits, churning out best-sellers like the Camry and Corolla as well as carving out a reputation in hybrids, which use a fine-tuned technology of switching between a gasoline engine and electric motor to save gas at a time when oil prices are rising.

But Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe barely said anything when asked about the possibility that his company may soon beat GM in global output.

Watanabe said the company was considering adding another plant in North America to keep up with growing demand, although he did not give details.

In the United States, the first Tundra pickup trucks rolling off of Toyota’s Texas plant will arrive in showrooms in 2007, a sign of Toyota’s ambitions in a lucrative sector dominated by American automakers.

Toyota has used its ample coffers to purchase significant stakes in two of GM’s former Japanese alliance partners — Fuji Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru cars, and truckmaker Isuzu. Toyota will be even using Fuji’s Indiana plant to make Camries starting in spring 2007.

GM used to be the top shareholder in Fuji, but sold its entire 20% stake last year as part of its efforts to raise cash for restructuring. Toyota bought an 8.7% stake in Fuji for about $315 million to become the top shareholder.

Last month, Toyota bought a 5.9% stake in Isuzu Motors Ltd., well-known for its diesel technology that Toyota is eager to gain — half a year after GM sold its entire 7.9% stake in Isuzu.

Full article at link.

[Perian]

Originally Posted by Perian

Toyota has used its ample coffers to purchase significant stakes in two of GM’s former Japanese alliance partners — Fuji Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru cars, and truckmaker Isuzu. Toyota will be even using Fuji’s Indiana plant to make Camries starting in spring 2007.

GM used to be the top shareholder in Fuji, but sold its entire 20% stake last year as part of its efforts to raise cash for restructuring. Toyota bought an 8.7% stake in Fuji for about $315 million to become the top shareholder.

Last month, Toyota bought a 5.9% stake in Isuzu Motors Ltd., well-known for its diesel technology that Toyota is eager to gain — half a year after GM sold its entire 7.9% stake in Isuzu.

Nice to be reminded of this.

I find this figure amazing:
A year from now, Toyota will be making almost 11,000 Camry units PER WEEK in the United States.

There has not been a production figure like that since the mid-80's with the Chevrolet Impala/Caprice model.

My oh my how things have changed.

.

[K-1]

Wow, more pro-Toyota fluff out of Japan... big surprise.

[GM-Joe]

Originally Posted by Perian

Nice to be reminded of this.

I find this figure amazing:
A year from now, Toyota will be making almost 11,000 Camry units PER WEEK in the United States.

Well they have to sell them first, plus there's an awful lot of new competition out there.

[tholland]

Originally Posted by GM-Joe

Well they have to sell them first, plus there's an awful lot of new competition out there.

Exactly... are they targeting #1 auto maker or #1 auto seller?

[wolverine]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Brglotus]

So I guess ISUZU will no longer offer anything in the U.S. after this coming year? And I guess if it does, will it be a rebadged 4 Runner or something? I feel bad for the dealers and those who are left with ISUZU's. I had a 04 Rodeo and lost $11,000 as soon as I drove off the lot, talk about depreciation. I unloaded the truck (due to bad problems and no service dealers near me any more) and got a Tahoe, but I'm still paying for that Rodeo.

[1487]

Great ad for Toyota. Here's a question. Why do I see discounts offered at all my local Toyota dealers if there is so much demand for Toyo products? I just dont get that. with the exception of the new camry most Toyotas are being advertised for thousands under MSRP and yet these articles keep saying "Toyota must build new factories to keep up with demand". Makes no sense at all. The new Tundra plant isnt being built to meet demand, it is being built with the hopes that there will be demand for 200k Tundras a year. right now the demand does not exist. These people play with words to make the point that Toyota does no wrong and GM is going under.

[espo19047]

Didnt I read this story last week? Last month? Last year? Every other day? Thanks to the GMI ticker I get a steady dose of Toyota may pass GM.

[GMsElite]

Toyota has a rep for having better gas milleage but yet they're releasing the Tundra as a 2007 model to get out of the new EPA regulations. The hell with Toyota.

[Psionic Wibbly]

Originally Posted by 1487

Great ad for Toyota. Here's a question. Why do I see discounts offered at all my local Toyota dealers if there is so much demand for Toyo products? I just dont get that. with the exception of the new camry most Toyotas are being advertised for thousands under MSRP and yet these articles keep saying "Toyota must build new factories to keep up with demand". Makes no sense at all. The new Tundra plant isnt being built to meet demand, it is being built with the hopes that there will be demand for 200k Tundras a year. right now the demand does not exist. These people play with words to make the point that Toyota does no wrong and GM is going under.

toyota is on track to make a net profit of 13.5 billion big ones this year; this obviously means that there are a few people around in the world who are still buying toyotas. and even though it might offer discounts it still has big reserve of pofit margin built into the price of their cars.

[GMsElite]

Originally Posted by Mags

So you're upset that Toyota is releasing the 2007 Tundra in... umm... 2007.

MF

Not at all. It's just that models being released from January + will most likely be 2008's right? So why is Toyota releasing the Tundra as an 07? Care to explain?

[GMsElite]

Originally Posted by Mags

Because they can- they're not breaking any rules. And because it gives them the advantage of not having to use the new rules for 2008 models. If it's in their interest to label it as a 2007, why wouldn't they do it? GM would do the exact same thing.

MF

Yea I understand all that which makes sense but I guess u kinda missed my point. People rant and rave over how effcient Toyota is when it comes to gas milleage. Well if they are why cant they bear the new 2008 epa regulations (Not a question for you Mags, just saying)?

To sum it all up I was really being sarcastic in my first post.

[jon21]

Goodness...that is a lot of vehicles just from 1 company.

[VibenPontiac]

Originally Posted by Mags

So you're upset that Toyota is releasing the 2007 Tundra in... umm... 2007.

MF