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Toyota is on the Offensive. Will it work?
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Comments
PS
You are not near the fires are you? We have a friend in Ketchum that had to evacuate.
Suzuki started out as the Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Company btw.
Besides cars and looms, Toyoto is into financial services, business logistic services, holds interests in lots of auto suppliers, has a travel agency, does billboard production and makes liquid crystal displays with Sony, just to list a few. Lots of stuff besides cars.
The fires are all over but none near Boise right now. It's been pretty smoke free all summer, unlike last year. There's 2400 acres of grass right behind us and parts of it catch fire every few years (and is always contained by the fire road behind us ... so far :surprise: ).
I suspect GM and the other majors are spread around in similar ways.
And Toyota's continued fierce devotion to hybrids in lieu of diesels for its large vehicles is another misstep IMO. They do talk about an eventual diesel for the Tundra truck, which I guess would find its way into the Sequoia also at some point, and that's it. I think hybrids are better for small vehicles, diesels for large, especially trucks. And I guess they have mostly put fuel cell development on a back burner, another decision which may wind up hurting them.
If there is a downfall in Toyota's future, I think it may come from being too conservative for its own good.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
And regarding the diesels, I've read about the production being spread to more than just full size trucks. The FJ cruiser comes to mind especially as one of the first to see such motor. Plus, why would Toyota grab interest in Isuzu if they aren't going to utilize their expertise in that area?
I think there is a lot more going on behind the curtains than we are aware of. Especially when Honda, one of Toyos main competitors is touting a full lineup of diesels coming in 08'.
looking at the new epa numbers, still nothing can touch the prius @45 mpg, closest is the yaris which is a class smaller. Interesting enough, the vw diesels didn't have the fantastic mpg being touted under the new test, but of course your mileage may vary. I think yota will stick with hybrid with their pass. cars and diesels with their trucks. Maybe a hybrid sienna in the pipeline.
Until the ULSD issue is fully in place all over the country and all the vehicles can meet the CARB state limits and the price comes into line, I don't see Toyota making a huge effort in diesels outside of trucks. I am a little surprised that they aren't saying much about a diesel Taco since the HiLux is such a big hit all over the world.
Rumors keep surfacing that the diesel Tundra is just around the corner, maybe along with a diesel Taco?
Here are my impressions:
IS-F: This is really not a dyno test instead it's a simulated 1/4-mile run on a dyno. I got to sit in the IS-F, drive it to 4th gear (I got to shift it myself), let go of the gas and let it coast. Overall, the V8 is pretty impressive, I'll say it definitely over 420HP. It doesn't have a traditional V8 low grunt, instead it has a high pitch scream, very nice. The 8-speed transmission shifts fast under manual mode. May not be as fast as the DSG but is definitely faster than the regular IS and other shift-tronics out there. I really wasn't a fan on how does the IS-F look when it debut back in January but this is one of those cars that pictures just don't do it justice. The side profile is very nice, the bulk hood doesn't look out of shape and the big vent on the side looks reserve and not boy-racer like. Bottom line is this is a pretty impressive effort from Lexus but would be better if they drop a manual tranny in there.
LS600hL: The interior is much better than the regular LS. The dash, door panel and center console are all covered by leather. Very nice. Is it worth over 100 grand? I don't know since I am not into the ubber-luxury sedans. This is definitely not a driver's car, may have more appeal to backseat buyers with the massage captain's chair and all the goodies in the back. Overall it is a worthy competitor to the S600 and 760iL.
GS350: Drove the GS350 in a small track, it has good pickup, decent brake and went through the corner with ease. Overall speaking, with the 2GR-FSE under the hood it felt like a bigger IS350 with a softer suspension. For anyone who likes the IS350 but needs a bigger backseat this is definitely a good alternative.
Side note: The Lexus rep told us while waiting to drive the IS-F that there are definitely other F models in the pipeline. I asked him so does that mean the GS-F is definitely coming. He said: Shh...
My Sienna gets phenomenal highway mileage (30.6mpg last trip) but city driving makes that average take a nose dive, down to 23mpg last tank.
I don't see how it could run on battery for long, with all that weight and demand for power to run all that stuff inside.
Around town with just her and the kids in it is a completely different story - they struggle to break the 20 mark for mileage. In short trips it drinks the gas, but I can't imagine that it would really ever run on electrics alone due to its size (wind resistance) and weight. Now a diesel would probably save 1/3 in around-town gas costs. In contrast, I bet a hybrid would improve it a couple of points at best. The smaller, lower, lighter (by a lot) Highlander hybrid only manages high 20s in town.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
To be honest it's every other competitor that needs more help in this area, Toyota is the current class leader.
This will be the Achilles Heel for diesels in the foreseeable future. While diesel is inhereently more efficient than a gasser by adding whatever hoop-de-do post combustion devices are needed to pass CARB standards may make the cost even higher than the HSD and may also kill the inherent efficiency.
I had hoped for a 2.4L+HSD 'Base' model Sienna but as big as it is and with all the stuff normally carried it makes sense that it needs more power. The 3.3L+HSD makes the most sense I guess until they come out with a smaller hybrid minivan/CUV.
Now price: If it's like the new HH then a price in the $32-$34K range seems likely. What will be Honda's price for their diesel Ody next year? Prolly $32-$34K also I'm guessing.
I think Toyota is planning for the shrinking market, and building a market for the future, without minivans, if that applies.
The Sienna is a success story, any way you slice it, so I don't see it going anywhere.
I don't really need a Toyota Pacifica. :sick:
DrFill
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=122496?tid=edmund- s.il.home.photopanel..1.*
When I sold, selling a Rav4 against a CR-V was pretty simple, and they seems to see what eyesore.
DrFill
Any how, I'm surprised noone brought up the loss of Jim Press, which is a big deal. He was the only American on the board of directors. Chrysler snapped him up just like that.
It's a huge loss for Toyota.
So the question is who's going to replace these "key guys" ??? I guess if product quality gets to bad they can always dust off the once secret playbook from the 90's. :P
-Rocky
DrFill
How ?
-Rocky
It reinforces Toyota's standing, so it may attract top execs from elsewhere. If the competition buys their execs from there, maybe that's where I should be?
Maybe the company will work harder on compensation and reduced work schedules (Toyota execs are worked like Carlos Ghosn.).
And the company can build a plan for such contingencies. The company can be forced to adapt, and react better to such unforseen circumstances.
But, in the short term, it won't help the company.
A little introspection can't hurt. It hurts, but the company will grow stronger from this.
DrFill
-Rocky
DrFill
Toyota, while not doing bad by any means seems to be expierencing some issues across it's company. I'm sure in time they will be able address them.
Ghosn, well he went from being king of the mountain to well king of a mole hill, eh ? Based on what I've seen he was a bit over hyped as hindsight is 20/20 for most people.
-Rocky
They're comers.
I don't know what Ford is doin'. That dog don't bite! :sick:
DrFill
Well maybe it was just time for a shake-up at Toyota I mean there is a reason for everything that some things happen for a reason.
I think Toyota's branded product(minus Lexus and Scion) has gotten too predictable since 2003 and in some spots since 2000 maybe as well except for the 2007 Camry.
I think Toyota's branded product(minus Lexus and Scion) has gotten too predictable since 2003 and in some spots since 2000 maybe as well except for the 2007 Camry.
I agree... but I also think it could have something to do with the fact that Toyota pays its executives much less than other car companies pay their execs. Jim Press, as much as he appeared to love his job at Toyota, was there for a very long time...29, 30 years?? And when Chrysler came knockin', he wasn't about to "jump ship" when Toyota was on a roll, to take the helm at nearly orphaned Chrysler unless there was a very large pay increase involved. I don't remember the figures, but I read an article about him in Motor Trend several months ago, and it mentioned that his salary was a fraction of what Nissans Charles Ghosn was paid, for example. But his departure will not have a major impact on Toyota in the near future. The way Toyota is run extends all the way from the C-level guys to the laborors - it's a culture, not a business plan. It has been that way for years and is credited as the reason for their success. Toyota/Lexus/Scion will be fine without Press, but they might have to pony up a few extra dollars to retain top talent going forward. Who really knows. Maybe Press was just bored with being on top and wanted a new challenge - Chrysler would certainly fill the need.
It could be a very good thing to get some fresh blood at Toyota's senior level. As much as I like them, I still find myself wondering at times why Toyota doesn't produce anything that feels as "fun" as a Honda or as serious about driving as a BMW. They have the talent, but all their cars have a certain disconnectedness about them. I have learned to trust and respect them over the years I have been driving, and I've never driven anything that impresses with quality like a Toyota, but I still find myself yearning for something with more soul from time to time. The "fun factor" in a Toyota seems more coincidental than deliberate. I hope the new leadership has a little more passion.
FWIW, I wish all three the best of luck in their future endeavors. Those are good people, as learned firsthand from talking with them at various events over the past few years. I trust their departures were for good reasons.
Further, more indicator an unstable auto market, with executive shuffling going on all over...
1) oversaw the launch of Scion
2) general manager of Lexus
3) group vice president of marketing of Toyota
He is now going to Ford as its group vice president of marketing
-Rocky
Yeah but GM already has Bob Lutz why would you want Jim Press for if you already have Lutz? Ironically, I think Jim Press is the best "Car guy" Chrysler has had since Lutz departed there back 7-8 years ago.
Yeah your right though Jim Press's talents are needed at Chrysler I mean Chrysler's vehicle line-up is very weak right now with the exception of a couple models.
I can't predict, at this time, who may unseat Toyota. Maybe nobody will, but Volkswagen and Hyundai are candidates. Or maybe it will be an alliance of companies that hasn't been formed yet.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
At the volume they sell of course they are.
When you get big you're just not as nimble as when you were small.
Say you're producing Camrys at a rate of, just tossing out a number, 100 per day. You find a defect, and it takes 5 days to find a fix. You have 500 cars you have to recall.
I'm just using round number, bear with me.
If Porsche produces just 5 cars a day, they'll fix the problem with only 25 cars to recall.
There's just no way Toyota could maintain the quality level as they grew.
The question is, now that the market has forced them back down, can they get that higher quality level back?
But it seems that Highlander sales are down with the advent of the Venza, something I thought likely before the Venza was introduced.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Not a hot seller.