Toyota sales up 0.3%

[frenstall]

Anyone know how many light-duty trucks GM sold compared to the Tundra? This would make more sense given Toyo had no HD version and GM/Ford just combine their light and HD offerings even though they're almost completely different trucks. Not defending Toyota here but just curious on real numbers.

[E. Haskell]

Originally Posted by iamwin

I saw $9k off all Tundras in the paper from a couple dealers this weekend, they seem to be doing exactly that.

That's probably why the Tundra has a lower resale value than GM trucks. Who wants to buy used when you can get a new one with $9-grand off?

[Ming]

Once Toyota gets into the business of making robots to act as servants, and later as companions in our homes (don't think Japan, Inc. isn't solidifying its position in robotics as we type), they'll hold a mortgage on our souls...

[ericmvest]

Originally Posted by Minnesota Nice

I'm also willing to bet that most consumers don't know anything about Toyota's quality problems outside of those of us who like cars.

And that's the problem. Toyota always somehow manages to skirt responsibility and stop the bleeding.

Personally, I can't fathom why anyone would buy a Toyota. They are uninspired and unattractive usually.

I agree with you 100%, Minnesota Nice.

Toyota has tried to address their lack luster design by spending a considerable amount of money on a new design center in Japan. The people you have doing the design is much more important than the building its being done in. The great classic designs of Packard and Auburn/Cord/Duesenberg were done on a shoe string. Maybe Toyota's design has improved slightly in some cases, such as the Lexus LS460, but many of their designs such as the new Tundra and Sequoia are very marginal. More troubling is that I have heard Toyota is trying to develop a unique design language that draws from Japan’s unique design culture. I can not imagine what this could be. I have read the Frank Lloyd Wright was influenced by Japanese design so maybe Toyota’s vision will work, but then again maybe it will not translate into a design language that sells.

In my opinion the new Malibu has a much better interior/exterior design, arguably better quality and dealership sales/service experience, and lower price than the Camry. I see no reason why I would buy the Camry over the Malibu.

[ericmvest]

Originally Posted by Minnesota Nice

I'm also willing to bet that most consumers don't know anything about Toyota's quality problems outside of those of us who like cars.

And that's the problem. Toyota always somehow manages to skirt responsibility and stop the bleeding.

Personally, I can't fathom why anyone would buy a Toyota. They are uninspired and unattractive usually.

I agree with you 100%, Minnesota Nice.

Toyota has tried to address their lack luster design by spending a considerable amount of money on a new design center in Japan. The people you have doing the design is much more important than the building its being done in. The great classic designs of Packard and Auburn/Cord/Duisenberg were done on a shoe string. Maybe Toyota's design has improved slightly in some cases, such as the Lexus LS460, but many of their designs such as the new Tundra and Sequoia are very marginal. More troubling is that I have heard Toyota is trying to develop a unique design language that draws from Japan’s unique design culture. I can not imagine what this could be. I have read the Frank Lloyd Wright was influenced by Japanese design so maybe Toyota’s vision will work, but then again maybe it will not translate into a design language that sells.

In my opinion the new Malibu has a much better interior/exterior design, arguably better quality and dealership sales/service experience, and lower price than the Camry. I see no reason why I would buy the Camry over the Malibu.

[ericmvest]

Originally Posted by Minnesota Nice

I'm also willing to bet that most consumers don't know anything about Toyota's quality problems outside of those of us who like cars.

And that's the problem. Toyota always somehow manages to skirt responsibility and stop the bleeding.

Personally, I can't fathom why anyone would buy a Toyota. They are uninspired and unattractive usually.

I agree with you 100%, Minnesota Nice.

Toyota has tried to address their lack luster design by spending a considerable amount of money on a new design center in Japan. The people you have doing design is much more important than the building its being done in. The great classic designs of Packard and Auburn/Cord/Duisenberg were done on a shoe string. Maybe Toyota's design has improved slightly in some cases, such as the Lexus LS460, but many of their designs, such as the new Tundra and Sequoia, are very marginal. More troubling is that I have heard Toyota is trying to develop a unique design language that draws from Japan’s unique design culture. I can not imagine what this could be. I have read that Frank Lloyd Wright was influenced by Japanese design so maybe Toyota’s vision will work, but then again maybe it will not translate into a design language that sells.

In my opinion the new Malibu has a much better interior/exterior design, arguably better quality and dealership sales/service experience, and lower price than the Camry. I see no reason why I would buy the Camry over the Malibu. Furthermore, I believe every advantage the Malibu has the Silverado has over the Tundra, plus the Siverado has much better tailgate design.

[Minnesota Nice]

^ Took the words right out of my mouth ^

[GMTECH89]

why would anyone even consider buying one of those pos, you want a real truck buy american, people just dont care where they buy products, they dont care what country they support