Midas1

Obama's Sweeping Changes for America's Cars

Toyota has received 80,000 orders for the new Prius. Why couldn't it have been GM or Ford? Wake up domestics and get a decent small hybrid car on the road. Toyota is lightyears ahead of you.


On May 20 05:05 AM Freya wrote:

> The new Toyota Prius is rated at 50 mpg highway. It will be sold
> here shortly.

12 Cars That Could Spoil a Chrysler-Fiat Deal

Toyota has just received an order for 75,000 Priuses. As a consumer I would rather go with a well-established Hybrid rather than take a risk with another. That said, Honda, like Toyota, admittedly has exceptional quality. Toyota has without fail backed its product with the vehicles I have purchased. It would take a lot to pry me away from such a good company. For all the years I've owned Toyotas, I have gotten exceptional service and an extraordinary product. Have I had any problems? Yes. Toyota backed them even when the warranty was out because I impeccably maintain (in good times and bad) my transportation that I rely on 24/7. Many years ago in another recession I had a Corolla with a problem that wasn't under warranty. I didn't have much money. The repair cost was about $650 (the car had over 100,000 miles). Toyota repaired the car and said they would cover it. When I bought my next car, I looked back at that time when things weren't so good for me and how Toyota worked with me. I bought another Toyota and have driven Toyotas ever since. There's more to business than money exchanging hands. Toyota has a mix of values: 1) profit, of course, to continue in business; 2) never forgetting the customer; 3) working with customers; 4) ethics and integrity; and 5) humility, honor, and shame which is part of the Japanese culture. Had the Japanese been overseeing our financial services, rest assured we would not be in the mess we now find ourselves, as well as the world.

On May 15 08:31 AM Soldalma wrote:

> You forgot the new Honda hybrid, which will be way cheaper (although
> less thrifty) than the Prius. It is the number 1 selling car in Japan
> right now, and there is no reason it could not sell like pancakes
> in the US. The price is expected to be under $20k.

William Holstein on Why GM Matters

Though you make it sound like Toyota and GM are in the boxing ring, fact is they have had a joint venture for years. The Prizm was the Corolla; the Pontiac Vibe is the Matrix, etc. I would like you to address why GM did not absorb the knowledge of the Toyota Production System and apply it to their assembly plants in the midwest. The Prizm was a perfect opportunity to show the world that GM could make a very decent small car. Under the hood was a Toyota engine. The Corolla is the #1 selling car in the world. Why haven't articles addressed the joint venture? By reading the many online articles addressing GM's plight, one would certainly think Toyota and GM are at war. If GM tapped Toyota's production system, they could turn around their dire situation rapidly. HOWEVER, GM MUST be ready to back their product in and out of warranty as Toyota does. GM must prove they believe in their own product enough to drive it to Washington when asking for taxpayer dollars. GM must stop blaming new car owners for transmission failures at 800 miles and back the product accordingly. The Japanese makers do not leave their customers out in the cold and neither should GM. GM must also strongly envision themselves in the customer's shoes--like that working Joe whose multithousand dollar purchase must WORK and KEEP WORKING FOR YEARS TO COME because working Joe doesn't have the money anymore to keeping buying cars. Toyota is the #1 most respected company in the world (Forbes), #1 for customer loyalty, and #3 for most innovative. GM please use your joint venture with Toyota, study customer service inside and out, deliver quality, and BUYERS WILL COME. Just as Toyota's reputation took years to build, so will yours to rebuild. It can be done, but you must tap all available resources and you have a pretty darn good one right at your fingertips. Also, mimick Toyota in another way--Toyota executives often get in a given model and are told to drive from Canada through Mexico and beyond to understand what consumers are experiencing with their product. YOU MUST DO THE SAME. When you get stranded several times, perhaps you will then emphathize with your customers who endure the same predicament. By literally living in a vehicle and driving several hundred thousand miles, you get a pretty good idea of how to change creature comforts, employ safety features, and design the product to maximize quality/effectiveness. Perhaps this is why I can own a Camry for 14 years and NEVER experience a failure. 100% reliability is certainly impressive and is not easily pryed from my memory. Toyota's doors have been open to you for years. It's time to step up to the plate and act like a sponge, absorbing every tidbit Toyota offers. I truly hope the best for GM. Thank you.

Will Detroit's Loss Be Japan's Gain?

A total 37 executives at Toyota make a combined $35 million. Two CEOs (one Ford/one GM) make a combined $40 million. I have driven Toyotas for years. Toyota has consistently stood behind their product for the few problems I have had and without fail has offered service extraordinaire at Go Toyota in Denver (formerly Elway Toyota). Toyota is the #1 most respected company in the world (Forbes), #1 for customer loyalty (>63% return purchase rate), and #3 for innovation. Toyota gives a hoot about its customers and produces a top-flight product. Twice master techs have come to me and stated they made a mistake or broke a part. They were honest beyond anything I would believe happens at Ford or GM. As long as you maintain your Toyota and have the records to back it up, Toyota will within reason cover thel cost of items outside the bumper to bumper warranty. Greed is killing GM and Ford, as it is killing many American companies. How many houses can you live in? How many cars can you drive? How much money does it take to live one lifetime? I have a hard time supporting 92% pensions for GM and Ford workers when I will never see a pension and will be working until I go to my grave. I pay $405 per month for the privilege of $3,000 deductible health insurance. GM and Ford employees bark about $10 copays. I have a hard time agreeing with a bailout of companies whose executives still live the high life with exorbitant salaries and flying to Congressional meetings in LearJets. If the tables were turned and Toyota were approaching the Japanese government, rest assured their CEO would arrive in a Prius. If you truly believe in the products you are making, then you should have no problem driving them. View the YouTube video of the Japan Air Lines CEO talking about how he couldn't possibly think of NOT decreasing his salary when his pilots and employees are taking pay cuts in this economic climate. Every American CEO should watch that video. It's not just Toyota, Honda, or JAL as companies. The Japanese culture simply does not applaud a few taking for themselves when their population is suffering. It is a shame factor. It should be here too. Thank you.

A Modest Proposal For The U.S. Auto Industry: Stop Building Cars

I think the CEOs of Ford and GM should agree to a salary of $1 per year until their companies are profitable. Thirty-seven (YES 37) Toyota executives make a COMBINED $35 million. Two men (GM/Ford) make a combined $40 million. Greed is what is killing GM, Ford and America. CEOs fly private jets to Washington and don't even have a plan in hand to present to gravel for $25 billion in taxpayer dollars. Pathetic, ruinous management. Get rid of the CEOs and get some fresh blood in the ranks, especially at GM. And GM-STOP TELLING YOUR CUSTOMERS TO POUND SAND WHEN THE BLASTED TRANSMISSION GOES OUT OF YOUR PRODUCTS AT 800 MILES!!! THE CONSUMER DIDN'T DO IT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE FROM YOUR END!

The Big Three Crisis: Stocks Plunge as Politicians Moralize

Obviously, you're one of Ford's employees who think the taxpayers should foot the bill for your retirement. Not. If Ford makes such good products, they should have no problem competing in a free enterprise system WITHOUT government handouts off the backs of the taxpayers WHO DO NOT COLLECT more than 90% of their salary in a pension. It's time for the UAW to get a clue. The UAW has killed the auto industry. Don't expect the population to bail you out. I do not want to support whiny people griping about a $10 copay to see a doctor when the rest of us have had copays for years in the range of $30-50. Face it, the Big 3 are obsolete.


On Nov 24 11:04 AM TB3 wrote:

> Another example of your "experts" knowledge based on maybe a couple
> of hours watching CNN. Since you obviously haven't done your homework,
> let me enlighten you. Ford's Mulally has the company going full speed
> converting several successful smaller European cars so that they
> meet all the different governmental regulations here vs abroad. And
> it's not just the vehicles either. He also has to convert the assembly
> plants that will put them together. Did Ford drag their feet in the
> past? Absolutely. But not since Mr Mulally took over. He for one,
> is not the problem, but the solution.

The Big Three Crisis: Stocks Plunge as Politicians Moralize

Affcted, not effected.


On Nov 24 10:22 AM Mister Jimmy wrote:

> "Midas1", You state that "Toyota and Honda are simply superb companies
> that back their product"? Do this: Google "Toyota engine sludge"
> and read about the class action lawsuit that it finally took to get
> Toyota's attention about a chronic design flaw with their engines.
> Toyota and the dealers BLAMED THE CUSTOMER for not changing the oil
> at required intervals. A court decision determined otherwise. Similar
> issues have transpired with their truck engine crank shafts and car
> transmissions.
>
> You've been drinking the Japanese Kool-Aid too long, junior, and
> it's effected you ability to gather facts and think rationally.

The Big Three Crisis: Stocks Plunge as Politicians Moralize

Oh, yes let's infuse blood into a dead horse. The stupidity belongs to GM and Ford who couldn't get their crap together after the oil embargo to make a decent car. No company could have been so stupid as to think there would not be another crisis. I WILL NOT SUPPORT PADDING THE POCKETS OF IDIOTS!! GM and Ford's quality has never been that great. Yet, they want a "Cadillac" price for vehicles they never back. You can enjoy replacing transmissions. I have better things to do than to back these companies that continue to operate with a mentality and intellect that couldn't spell cat if one spotted them the "c" and the "a". Government involvement is socialism. The fact is Ford and GM cannot compete with thinking companies. They were too busy gobbling profits from wasteful fuel inefficient SUVs which you probably drive.


On Nov 24 09:40 AM qObserver wrote:

> So you will go and buy a vehicle based on the compensation of the
> CEO's? Give me a brake!
>
> You seem to forget that in the 70's most of the Japan products were
> a pile of crap, after just a few years they were a rust bucket, I
> know I owned a couple.
>
> Quality is preservative; the difference today between the best and
> worst is statistically insignificant. Every manufacturer makes a
> quality product, if they didn’t nobody would but them.
>
> Lets not forget, GM SELLS THE MOST CARS AROUND THE WORLD, so this
> is not an insignificant company.
>
> The issue at hand is not the cars, the compensation, the quality;
> it’s a credit issue that is affecting every company around the world.
> No available credit = no car sales, period.
>
> Anybody, including yourself, that seems to think it’s a good to allow
> a significant national asset like the American auto industry to fail
> for issues that are out of their control is simply showing their
> lack of intelligence (wanted to say stupidity, but wanted to be nice).
> You should get better educated, learn the facts, and understand the
> sever consequences that will come if this is allowed to happen.
>
>
> By the way, it’s a loan, not a handout!

The Big Three Crisis: Stocks Plunge as Politicians Moralize

The CEO's (2) of Ford and GM make a combined $40 million. Thirty-seven (yes 37) executives at Toyota make a COMBINED $35 million. Toyota will always have my business. They treat their customers well and they don't pay multimillion dollar bonuses to a few. When Ford and GM went graveling for money, neither could present a plan. These overpriced incompetents ran the companies into the ground and now expect the taxpayer to keep them going. The UAW stinks as bad as the management. In the Japanese culture, benefitting a few at the expense of many is a shame factor. For all the years Ford and GM told their customers to pound sand when the blasted transmissions went out of their cars at 800 miles and the customer was conveniently blamed, I have no respect or sympathy for their present predicament. Toyota and Honda are simply superb companies that back their product. Both are forward-thinking and both treat their employees with respect. Ford and GM's ceo pay and actions of the past week have now ensured no company could pry me away from Toyota!

Demand More for Your Auto Bailout Dollar; Oil Patch Should Bounce Back Long Term

Toyota builds cars that last for 10-20 years without a lot of headaches. For each month there is no car payment, money can go to a retirement account. For the many years I owned Toyotas, I was not stranded continuously and never have had a major problem (transmission, engine, etc.). A 15 year old car with its original alternator.....etc. To Ford and GM: You must back your products. When I hear a friend state a Ford dealership told her to "pound sand" when her new vehicle had paint peeling from an obvious defective paint job, I certainly don't want the same. I challenge Ford and GM to build a vehicle with 1) a SOLID five-star crash rating (at least on the driver's side), 2) fuel-efficiency (at least 30 mpg); 3) seats that are comfortable and support the lower back; and 4) service extraordinaire like Toyota. After the sale, BACK your product. If the transmission goes out at 800 miles, don't find 100 excuses for why it was the buyer's fault. Change out the blasted thing at your cost. Build it, back it and they will come!!! Toyota has set the bar very high. You must exceed past them to gain back trust. By the way GM, what happened to the joint venture between you and Toyota in Fremont, California???????

Should We Really Bail Out the Big Three Automakers with $73.20 Per Hour Labor?

Instead of Japan, we'd rather be owned by the Chinese? Not. We owe China $520 billion. Toyota profit shares with all its employees. They do not give multimillion dollar bonuses to a few. Hands down, Toyota's leadership and ingenuity is lightyears ahead of GM. The Prius was a 1994 innovation, years ahead of the 2008 oil crisis. GM was still building the Suburban 1994-2008 that gets 6 mpg on a good day. HELLOOO-any level of common sense could have predicted an oil crisis with climbing gas prices. Don't blame Toyota for being forward-thinking when domestics were so focused on bigger profits from the gas guzzlers!! Taxpayers should not now have to be exploited because of management that couldn't spell cat if they were spotted the "C" and the "A".


On Nov 10 10:23 AM User 294975 wrote:

> And how much does a Ph.D. get paid to write articles without any
> thought or reality? The key is total compensation. Where does that
> money go? Back into our economy in the form of cash spending, health
> care, retirement and more. Is this important? I guess if the government
> can support them when they retire and our health care system is willing
> to cut their costs way down to take care of us and if people earning
> money to spend in our great country isn't important, then let them
> go out of business. I'm sure Toyota and Honda will send some of their
> profits back to the US from Japan to support us........NOT.

Should We Really Bail Out the Big Three Automakers with $73.20 Per Hour Labor?

Why can't Ford make a car anyone wants??? If the product is so great, why ask the government for a bailout? Toyota and Honda will survive just fine, thank you very much. Both have decent management, integrity and creativity--all lacking at the likes of Ford which seems to only want to make SUV waste. Many workers across the U.S. work hard and don't expect a handout or government welfare when times are bad. Don't think the taxpayers should bail out Ford or GM when neither seems to want to make a product that can actually work! If Fox was correct and this money is for retirees' healthcare, here's an idea. Get off your butt and work in retirement like the rest of us! Workers at Ford and GM are no better than anyone else, plain and simple!

Should We Really Bail Out the Big Three Automakers with $73.20 Per Hour Labor?

Fox News reported this weekend that GM is seeking multibillions to fund their retirees' HEALTHCARE costs. BS!!!! No one is giving me a free ride on healthcare. I DO NOT WANT MY TAX DOLLARS PAYING FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN PRODUCT INGENUITY!! Taxpayers fund Medicare--now we're supposed to give GM retirees the "cadillac" of healthcare? No way. Let them fail. This money should not go to padding pockets of overpaid employees whom the union would only allow a simple job task and no cross training. GM is never going to match the quality of Toyota or Honda as long as the focus is on what more they can do to pacify the stupid UAW. It's time to dump the UAW and infuse a dose of common sense into the domestics!!

Auto Industry Business Model Needs a Major Overhaul

It's simple. Develop a car that is fuel-efficient and focus on quality to every minute detail. Most people want transportation that gets them from point A to point B and back to point A. What's so difficult about this concept? Focus on a few models, turboboost quality, keep the same design for three to five years and you'll make money. If one or all of the big three would have developed a fuel-efficient car after the 1974 oil embargo, they wouldn't be in this mess. Plan long-range, not short-range. There is a large market of car buyers right now---looking for reliable transportation that won't bankrupt them at the gas pump. Give the market what it wants!

The US Auto Crisis

My Camry was 14 years old when it was broadsided by an idiot and totalled. It had been previously stolen, hit, hailed on, and vandalized. IT NEVER FAILED AND I WAS NEVER STRANDED!!! It still had the original alternator when it was totaled. My prior Corolla, same story except the alternator went out in year 12. I changed the oil myself and I think I know more about cars than a lot of men these days. Problems are a part of life and certainly occur with cars. HOWEVER, it's how the company deals with issues that makes me come back time and again to Toyota. Toyota just backed an issue on my car even though the warranty was long up. If you approach Toyota in a civil manner, you will get a civil response. There are shady dealerships, I'm sure. Fortunately, I am not dealing with one. Toyota has delivered years and years of reliable service and has not hidden issues. Twice master techs have broken parts on my car when it was in for service AND twice the techs came to me and told me. Do you honestly think in today's corporate culture I believe the same situation would have occurred with Ford or GM? Most dealerships would have told me, "lady, we found a broken part of your car" and left me paying for it. Another facet to my buying Toyotas is that this company does not pay its executives multi million dollar bonuses. I'm sick and tired of companies paying a few has-been men multi millions for running a company into the ground. Perhaps such should be the "shame" factor here that it is in Japan. Toyota plans long-range; the domestics need to do the same. We knew with the oil embargo of 1974 that a small, fuel-efficient vehicle was needed. No one at that time except Toyota and Datsun (Nissan) offered such. Toyota got a lot of people hooked on their product starting then. It was a solid marketing plan, start with small cars, then introduce the Camry and Avalon to keep your customers as they age and can afford to scale up. Common sense.