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getting now to all the emotion thing!, well, its a matter of like or dislike, if you like something you will get attached to it, I personally is in love with my SC430, in fact my family told me that my future wife will get jelous from it, and thats right, i look at the it like a sexy girl, I clean it thoroughly with my hands, its just calming when iam inside, I just feel happy to be driving it, and I think most lexus drivers do so.
I drove a BMW 328ci my friend has, I drove it for 30 mins and believe me it was the worst 30 mins in my life, I felt unsecured, like I was sitting on a solid chair and running in the streets, I got nervous with out a reason, yah I got bad, its just felt huh, I mean I cant describe it but I didnt like the ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE, its not the way i want my car to be, the sudden jump in the car when step on pedals, amazingly my sc430 outran it so easily (OF COURSE IT DOES :P) but the feeling inside a BMW is feeling not secure, maybe its the dashboard i dont like, maybe it the way the seat is placed and the suspension is yuk!! I remember my friend telling me when i passed on a light depression in the street, hey told me decelerate, remember its not a lexus. yes its HARSH HARSH AND JUST HARSH, handling, yes it better, limited body rolling, but thats only noticed when you are driving fast, really fast which is illegal :P, and no one will use this handling, and please its not that big deal here, the lexus still handles well, I mean its not a diahatsu!!! it handles very good, but lexus emphasize on comfort, thats why the suspesion is soft and not that harsh like a bmw, and thats what i like, so please no one here say why dont lexus handle like bmw, simply they dont want toooooo!!!
concerning your comment about the 12V engine, I believe its a waste of time and money to build such thing, the 8v hybird is better, much better. who wants an engine that has 12 MPG!! no not nowadays!! I believe a 8v hybird will perform better than most 12V german cars out here, but a 12v is not needed, and iam a lexus owner saying that!
for the funny comment about toyota's end!! i mean where did you get that from, isnt what your heart wants? becoz all i can see is globalization of the world by toyota, look at their products, they are simply invading every part of the world, ford and others are far behind, they dont have what it takes to takeover toyota, non is existing nowadays. BTW, toyota is now the biggest automaker, they wanted to be in 2010 first but they did it ealier, 2007 later
thats all, and tagman, nice post man
Lexusization of the world
Lexusi
V12 is so....20th century.
If Lexus wants to be all things, to all people, put a stick in the IS350. Or build the HFX.
More cylinders is not the answer. More fun makes me smile more into an empty wallet!
Now that you're on top of the mountain, and have taught the automotive world how to make luxury cars RIGHT, show them you can party like it's 1999 (Year #1 of Lexus' dominance)!
DrFill
So you should be buying Ford stock with every dollar you have if you really believe that, but I doubt you are. In all honesty - and not to be disrespectful - but that has about as much chance of happening as Enron becoming the biggest company in the US.
Amen, doc . . . Amen.
TagMan
Personally, I think that there will for quite some time, be people who will think that V12 is prestigeous. However, the majority of the population will be enamoured with a Luxury Land Yacht with a V8 and HSD spanking an AMG S-Class and getting better MPG while at it.
Prestigeous does not mean "more cylinders". It is soo much more than that. I think you are selling Lexus way too short on this whole "V12 is the past/future" tirade; the LS 600h has not even been released or unveiled yet.
Let's all be cool here and wait until we know a thing or two about it and how the market reacts to something so fresh to the market.
PS - Sam, did you not read the news about Toyota's V10 that they made for the consumer market? It is going into the LF-A.
PPS - I think Toyota's and Honda's presence in F1 is enough to keep them recognized as successful automakers.
I really can't see the Ford Fusion :lemon: , with its G35 front end and IS 300 rear end taking over the midsize car sales....
Yes, the only thing standing in Toyota's way of being a successful car manufacturer is a V12.
Like HSD advancements and its more-or-less better than the competition's relliability track-record isn't enough. Plus, a great new V6 that has great MPG, plus class leading horsepower in all segments the engine is used in.
Anyways, I am BUSHED!!!...going to bed, goodnight all.
I apologize if I might have seemed a little incoherent at times in my ramble...!
Sam got fired by?
A. Honda
B. Toyota
C. Both
Notice he never mentioned Nissan.
Amazing how not having a V12 for all of about 2500 annual sales a year of V12 cars in the US is going to bring down Toyota. Gosh - I hope he realizes that Toyota has a market value that is more than double the combined value of Ford, GM and Daimler.
Cadillac should have built that Sixteen - they'd have saved GM if they did, and they and GM would be king of the world right now.
garyh1 - really sorry if I didn't get to this earlier, but I was thinking about it a bit, and I think perhaps we should exercise restraint here. My concern is that we could easily go too far with labeling and critiquing PEOPLE instead of the CARS. And while our intentions might be noble (or not so noble), we could easily be misunderstood by some (you know how that goes) and open up a nasty can of worms.
BTW, thanks for the kind words earlier. Very cool, indeed.
TagMan
Ah, very wise. I was so intent on the concept of the discussion that I did not focus on the consequences. Must be why I said what I had said about you previously. Very cool, indeed!
You have read my posts carelessly and therefore your replies may not sound coherent. When I wrote toyota will go down, I cited its bland un-sexy designs and lack of performance. V12 is not the cited reason here.
The reason I have been making a strong case for V12 in the face of all the opposition here is because from an engineering perspective, V12 is much more hard to optimize compared to V8 and V10.
I am aware and have read about the LF-A with v10, less than 5.0 L but more than 500 HP, 200 mph specs carefully. I have not overlooked it.
But v12, thats another story. In germany, europe and especially US, audi is widely considered an underdog.
Since year 2000, their sales have been stuck at 80,000 or so level, where as BMW sells 250,000 + cars. Mercedes sells 220,000 + cars. Why is that???
Its not because audi is so bad in quality, nor the reason that their cars are unintentionally accelerating, nor the reason that Audi does not have an SUV. Because, if you take off the SUV counts, BMW still sells more than 200,000 cars, and mercedes more than 180,000. These numbers are more than 2-3 times that of Audi's car sales.
The fact is in the perception. Audi's A8 were not as competitive. They lacked performance credentials. So they could not charge top premium. Now they are trying to change that. Audi's V12 is competitive with BMW's V12.
They also closed the gap with 5 victories in le Mans since 2000.
Now, Audi has prepared R10, with guess what?
A V12. 650 HP, and that is diesel.
many would question the logic of V12, and that too diesel.
They would say, diesel's are for fuel efficient vehicles. What is the need. Some would question the very logic of introducing a diesel engine in Le Mans prototype.
Some would question the V12. They would say, okay you want to learn and advance the diesel technology through racing. Please go ahead, but use V8, because V12 are not necessary.
V12 is so 20th Century.
V12 is so boring.
V12 is not necessary and so on.
But the wise among us know very well that these arguments do not hold water. This is not the talk of energetic ambitious people. It is rather the talk of couch potatoes, with no sense of pride and no respect for competition.
If toyota has any self respect, and if it respects the competition, and it wants to be a world player and not gloat in its past success and become complacent, it will have to do the following:
1) Some how inject sexiness in its designs.
2) Stop introducing weird, butt ugly cars.
3) Give lexus LS a powerful and creamy smooth V12.
4) Raise the performance bar for its cars in line with germans and other.
5) Go all out on diesels. They are way behind the germans on diesel.
Particularly your "5 Steps to Resurrecting Lexus" (So insightful, it really needs a moniker!)
1. Inject sexiness in their designs.
Hello! The IS was labeled sexy by C&D when it scared the pants off of BMW executives in the comparison last year. And the LS has seen nothing but raves all Auto Season long. Lexus is not Ferrari, but the 4 new sedans have enough style to fight the Germans sedans anyway, as cars like the 3-series, 7, and S-Class take steps back, trying too hard to leap forward.
2. Stop introducing weird, butt ugly cars
It seems related to the first, so I'll pass on this as a general less-than-well-thought-out rant.
3. Give the LS a V12
You mentioned "creamy" and "smooth", but with Lexus, they set the "creamy, smooth" market standard!
The V12 is about as useful now as the Laserdisc! With sixes pushing 400HP, V8s at over 500, and economy moving up the charts on desirable features as fast as the Aux port, Hybrid V8s are the state-of-the-art, because Lexus made it so.
The V8/Hybrid will EASILY outsell any V12 on the market, from any maker, period! :shades:
The LS600h getting a 5.2 0-60 time, and 27MPG will be the final nail in the V12 coffin. If you want a V12, you will get a sweet deal. You will lose the savings in gas, doh :confuse:
4. Raise the performance bar in line with the Germans
Hello! The IS350 can already leave a 330 gasping for air! And the GS430 has been running neck and neck with the 540/545 for 7-8 years now. And the LS430 is 0-60 in 5.9? 6.1? They are on top in, performance too!
5. Something about diesels
This definitely gets filed next to the V12, as Lexus has chosen Hybrids over diesels already, and with the E-Class diesel getting no press, and the RX400h getting mad play, you tell me who is playing it right? Lexus can ask for more money, and deliver better performance AND economy, so Lexus doesn't want or need the trouble with diesels and emissions, and a generally poor image in America.
Sure you don't work for VW or Mercedes?
If you have respect for Lexus' success, dominance, after only 15 years, you wouldn't make these counter-productive statements.
DrFill
Doctor, you should lose your license for that!
C'mon, you don't need to be absurdely modest (maybe you don't know it yet but you might have lost the faith!), because, as I am sure you are aware, Lexus' preliminary number for the 460 was "under five-point-five seconds".
Screw on HSD, plug in a couple of batteries, fill the 5 litres' gas tank, push the button, stomp on the gas pedal, and I am sure you will get to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. :shades:
The V8 in the LS 430 could already outrun an S 430 and an S500. What were you talking about when you said,"bring the Lexus performance in line with the Germans'"? You mean make Lexus engines worse? Hrmm?
Sorry to say this Sam, but in all counts, Toyota's engines shame all of the German's.
Sam, the automotive world isn't so historic that V12 will always be the be-all, end-all of prestige. Looking at the grand scheme of things, it is not like BMW and Mercedes have been around forever. Cars are still new to the world; there is a lot of room for change.
Political revolutions occur.
I am sure HSD can be accepted, just like those numbskulls centuries ago accepted that the world wasn't flat!
There are so many things wrong with that statement. How is it that the couch potatoe 4.3 l V8 in the LS 430 can out perform the overachieving M-B's 4.3 l and 5.0 l V8s in the S-Class? If M-B and BMW were such overachieving companies I am sure they would find a way to make cars that can outrun an old Tie-Oda V8. . . . . . . . . . . . Right?
They have all that "wisdom" having a V12 gave them. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Right?
Also, isn't Lexus' LS outselling the S and 7?
Your posts make no sense whatsoever. Anyway this is about the LS - so why not tell us why you expect it to be a total failure.
I'm just making a point. What would I need a V12 for if I can go just as fast, and get TWICE the economy? AND cost less?
I don't think Lexus needs the LS to go under 5 seconds. I'd rather have another 5MPG than to shave another 1/2 second.
Any EPA numbers approaching 30MPG will ensure the LS600's success.
DrFill
This implies great fuel economy, and incredibly powerful performance.
I also think people buying it would feel ripped off if it only got marginal performance upgrades compared to a 460.
"Lexus New LS is Our Pick for Most Important Vehicle at 06 NAIAS."
Since it's supposed to have V6 economy, I don't know of many V6s with economy in the 30s.
And my #2: Lexus LS wins another award
Really? :confuse: The LS is Best at something?
Yawn!
DrFill
For me, the price/value is an element but not essential. For many people who can afford these cars, Lexus may be preferred regardless of price difference. I think Bill Gates drives (or has his driver -drive) a LS.
Camry
Bland?
Lacking Performance (268hp)?
Avalon
Bland?
Lacking Performance (268hp)?
Rav4
Bland?
Lacking Performance (269hp)?
IS 350
Bland?
Lacking Performance (306hp)?
GS 430
Bland?
Lacking Performance (300hp, but still 5.7 second time)?
LS 460
Bland?
Lacking Performance (380hp)?
LF-A
Bland?
Lacking Performance (+500hp)?
As for those designs, the Camry is sleek, but is still bland. The Corolla style body kit does it no favors. It still ain't no Passat or Mazda 6 in the looks department and the initial writeups suggest it is anything but sporty so yeah even the "SE" model is lacking "peformance. The Avalon isn't bland, it is just plain ugly as all getout. The IS350 losing in every single comparo to the 330i proves that lack of a stick and a proper chassis setuup can't be overcome by gobs of HP. Overall "performance" is most certainly lacking when compared to the car the IS350 set out to beat, the slower/less powerful BMW 330i. The same thing, minus a hp advantage goes for the GS430, it ain't no 5-Series beater in "performance" either, you know the car that Lexus set out to beat. So yeah it lacks "performance" too compared to its stated rival. You really don't want a GS430 to have to face 550i head on. The LS460 the jury is still out on as far as performance, see as how no one has driven the car yet. The design is much better than the LS430 easily, but its still very slab sided and plain to look at.
M
Performance isn't all about a "V12" too.
I agree with your Passat comparison, but not the Mazda6 (too "sporty" looking for a sedan, but those are my tastes, not yours; I like the Passat).
There is just a single, "minor" problem with it.
You are right, performance isn't just about performance, and the Avalon is not a performance vehicle, but have you driven the Touring model? It handles pretty damn well for a big barge that it is. Toyotas will never be performance cars, but the style and extra ferocity that were thrown into the new models prove that they aren't stodgey sitting ducks. The majority of people don't need a race car to drive to work. I always say,"if I didn't have the job I had and had to choose a different career path, I would be a F1 driver!". I love to drive. Some people choose to make certain compromises, though. Although I love driving and the feel of the road, an IS 350 would suit my needs just fine compared to the 330i. I really like the overall package of an IS 350, and many people do too.
"Overall performance is most certainly lacking"? Now that is gone a little too far; I would definitely disagree there. Performance is not the issue here, but the "road feel" that BMW affianados dislike about the IS 350. They say it does not have the feel of the 3-series, which it might not, but overall performance is ahead of the 3 series, however the 3 series in my opinion beats the IS when it comes to chassis.
Anyways, I geuss this has gone off topic.
We'll see how the LS 460 does in the "overall performance" category when it comes out. I have my hopes wrapped up in it to do well, and I believe that it will serve its purpose, as all LUXURY cars should, which is be luxurious, something that a 3 series lack immensely compared to the IS 350.
Off to the gym...
Yeah, but the chassis feel is what makes the BMW such a great "performance" car. No one has yet to match it, not even fellow Germans. In that sense the overall performance is lacking in the IS350 just like it is in every other car in that segment. Other than that the IS350 is nearly perfect (except the lack of a stick and I've seen some complain about the back seat), even I enjoyed flooring it at the Taste of Lexus last fall. However I think you're changing the criteria mid-post about the 3-Series lacking luxury. That wasn't the issue, peformance was. The 3-Series doesn't lack any luxury to me. Doesn't it have nearly the same features as the IS350? Just because the 3's interior doesn't look as glossy/fancy with all the buttons like the IS doesn't mean it lack luxury. The LS and IS compete in entirely different segments and of course luxury is more important in the LS' segment compared to the IS' segment, thats a given. Being sporty is the increasingly more important factor in the IS/3-Series segment, not overwhelming luxury.
No the designs you listed aren't sitting ducks, most Toyota products of any kind are never sitting ducks as far as their respective market segments, but the designs still leave a lot to be desired, especially the Avalon. They're still incapable of making a truly beautiful car.
M
Many of you feel that I am wrong because toyota is doing so well. It is the second largest car-maker and so some of you are bewildered and curious why I am making such seemingly outrageous statements.
I do not hate Toyota. I admire their production system. But I must also point out where they are going wrong and what needs to be fixed so they can survive.
I still forcefully argue that lexus and cadillac make V12 to beat the germans.
Can't believe I'm going to say this, but it looks like everyone else needs the fixing in order to survive considering the way things look regarding Toyota right now. Especially GM and Ford.
Toyota's "survival" isn't in question by anyone, not even by anyone in the industry who would love to report that Toyota is in some kinda of "trouble". Believe me if Toyota had any kind of problem it would be harped upon endlessly by the press.
True, a V12 is a great prestige/status statement, I don't think it fits into Lexus' "green performance" image they're trying to create with their hybrids. It has been long rumored that Cadillac is working a V12 flagship sedan for release at the end of the decade, but with GM's current troubles that project may be cancelled. It certainly can't be getting much attention right now within GM.
M
May be one day you will write "the best" post in all of edmunds history. May be the entire WWW. My best wishes to you.
Now my response to your swashbuckling defense for toyota:
1) You are just taking one or two recent examples and claiming all is well. This is a serious blunder on your part. IS has been released only for past 3-4 months. LS has not even arrived on the roads and not for another six months. So that has considerably weakened your point.
Prius is the poster child for butt ugly design. Sure it is a hot seller and sure it is a hit in hollywood for its environmental message, but sexy - not at all.
In one of my earlier posts I mentioned how lexus and toyota should learn from aston martin rapide.
2. Your dismissal it seems is not well thought out. My points 1 and 2 are. Point 1 focused on sexiness.
Sexiness and blandness can be antonyms, but butt ugly's opposite would be beautiful or well formed. There is a subtle difference.
A person may be good looking, but if they are not spirited and dynamic, they do not exude sexiness, a certain charm.
Enough said.
3. I have already provided enough rationale on V12s elsewhere so I would choose to leave it at that.
4. These performance assertions are hollow and do not hold much water. Lexus executives themselves have admitted that customers have lovingly complained that they need more performance. In many cases they have gone all out to exhort toyota to do something about it soon. The result was IS 350 which is the first such attempt by lexus to address these lack of performance complaints.
Go watch some autoline detroit episodes related to lexus. Also do some research instead of replying to me in haste.
5. Your diesel versus hybrid statement also shows that you relapse into irrational thought pattern.
Diesels are not good comparisons with RX400. Rx400 is a gasoline hybrid.
To correctly compare hybrids with diesels, we have to wait for diesel hybrids.
Diesels get plenty of press. Also, lexus has not chosen hybrids over diesel, just as you have not chosen salt over pepper and brains over noodles.
Lexus is lagging behind in diesels which is the lifeblood of european automotive industry. Choosing one over another whether its petrol or diesel is again - harakiri. Toyota is not stupid.
If lexus works out a diesel-hybrid in near future than, may be they can make a difference. But, until then the flux is at its maximum.
Also, your last statement is what I am hammering about.
V12 = prestige = stronger lexus brand.
At least we are in some agreement now.
And you mark my words, and I hope edmunds stays online with these posts 5 years from now, so you can come read here again what Samuel E. Stayton said on Feb 04, 2006.
The lack of sexy designs and performance will surely hasten their exit from North America.
The latest ford products are just the beginning of toyota's and others' end.
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If toyota has any self respect, and if it respects the competition, and it wants to be a world player and not gloat in its past success and become complacent, it will have to do the following:
1) Some how inject sexiness in its designs.
2) Stop introducing weird, butt ugly cars.
3) Give lexus LS a powerful and creamy smooth V12.
4) Raise the performance bar for its cars in line with germans and other.
5) Go all out on diesels. They are way behind the germans on diesel.
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When I wrote toyota will go down, I cited its bland un-sexy designs and lack of performance. V12 is not the cited reason here.
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I must also point out where they are going wrong and what needs to be fixed so they can survive.
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I think toyota will be in serious trouble in 5 years. You may think a big fat zero, but I think big fat losses.
For someone with a doctorate from MIT you don't seem very gifted at logical thinking.
Your reasoning seems to be along the lines that since Toyota/Lexus doesn't have as sexy designs as some or as high performance as some and lacks the V12 of some, it will lose market share; in your words, they are on the "path to automotive harakiri...hasten their exit from North America."
What you don't seem to recognize is that:
1. Performance/sexiness/V12s aren't the only things that matter to North American buyers. If the shortcomings you point out were the only things that mattered, why would Toyota/Lexus have historically, and consistently, gained market share?
2. Toyota/Lexus are making some progress at least in the performance/sexiness area, and are innovating in other ways (for instance, ICE engines, hybrid powertrains, 8-spd transmissions) in a way that improves their image, despite the lack of a V12. In other words, because they are fundamentally IMPROVING on their deficiencies, there is every reason to believe that their market share gains will continue.
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Put another way, Toyota/Lexus do have some deficiencies. Yet isn't the fact of their market share gains enough to convince you that other companies have greater deficiencies?
For Toyota/Lexus to "exit North America", you have to demonstrate that the other major companies are improving at a faster rate than Toyota/Lexus is.
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Put another way, an Olympic athlete doesn't have to be perfect to win a gold medal. He/she only has to be better than the competition.
Google 1GZ-FE, or 1GZFE. You'll find Toyota has had a V12 for some time. It's not a big power producer, but it is made for smooth torque production at low RPMs. Toyota's new 4.6L V8 actually produces more power than this engine.
Toyota makes cars for the masses and they will be making cars for more a lot more masses 5 years from now than they are now - probably at a growth rate of 10-15% a year.
Lexus is going more and more upscale with increasingly powerful engines, hybrids and cars that will top $150K with the LF-A and the HLS. A performance division is on the way. The prestige is increasing and will be much higher a year from now when LS600H rolls out the door and the brand is already prestigious to begin with.
New deisgns of both brands are sleeker, sexier, sportier and have big performance leaps and are being very well received - see links in earlier posts of myself and others. The company has financial resources that allow them to do whatever they want. These are facts - you are in fantasy land.
Sam, I think the fact that your thoughts are in disagreement with the huge majority here speaks for itself.
- Truly, your ideas are not what the rest of the World reflects -
What could possibly happen 5 years from now that would bring Toyota down? Hell, that is just on the cusp of the release of next generation models.
Why in five years and not any sooner? Why five, Sam, why five? Any power-to-weight formulas that can explain that? If Toyota is on the upside of its success, then how could they fail for not having a V12 in their top-of-the-line Lexus and why would Toyota not fail sooner?
In my opinion, and I am just an average Joe, not a showy (read: diluted!) MIT grad like yourself, having a V8-Hybrid flagship that performs better than the competition's V12s makes those brands (and cars) look bad, not more impressive than Lexus'.
"I think toyota will be in serious trouble in 5 years. You may think a big fat zero, but I think big fat losses."
Keep in mind, in what I am saying in the next paragraph, that Toyota already has a V12.
Mark the words of what Michael G. Giller said on February 4th on the 6th year of 2000: Lexus' lack of a V12 will not bring Toyota down.
For you to make a statement that Toyota is on the way down is more than ridiculous. You sound like a spoiled brat that is not getting his way. How can you possibly argue against incredible success. Now that Toyota/Lexus is producing (as you call it) sexier looking cars, their success will grow to greater heights than ever. I like to think as myself as the average "joe blow" who can afford any one of the top 3 cars mentioned above. Why am I overwhelmingly going with the Lexus? I answered it above in the first paragraph. I am of the opinion that the great majority is on my side. Thus, how can you state that Toyota will see its demise? Speaking of Toyota in particular, do you think that the Camry hybrid will be a failure? Enough said!
DrFill
I think I have already said what I had to say. These messages were meant mainly for toyota guys. Summarily again, if toyota wants to survive:
1) Sexy exterior designs
2) More performance models
3) A strong focus on diesel and diesel hybrids
Dont put too many chips on gasoline-hybrids
4) Introduction of V12s in lexus and v8 in toyota camry.
5) Withdrawal from money sinks such as Formula 1 and instead a strong focus on NASCAR, Le Mans and local racing clubs
6) Be a trailblazer in innovation. Dont be a laggard.
Help your brothers at GM in hybrid technology.
7) Remain focused on customer service and dynamic marketing.
Toyota's strong points:
1) Interiors are well crafted
2) Engine technology for v6 and v8 is internationally competitive
3) Marketing is near clever.
Good luck
Sam, care to address my post? So far you have absolutely no reason to say what you have said. None. Zilch. Zip.
Why is Toyota gaining more and more marketshare if what they are doing is wrong?
I know I may not understand it, because my intelligence is limited, but at least try and explain it.
population: vehicles sold
per capita income: average transaction price per vehicle.
Stated in these terms, toyota should not just measure itself in terms of vehicles sold, revenue etc.
It should measure itself in terms of price per vehicle sold.
Only when it can garner more price per vehicle sold every year compared to competition, can it claim that its making progress.
Evidently, you aren't a research professor in economics or business at Harvard or MIT.
So, if Lexus vehicles only increase in price each year by as much as BMW or MB, but Lexus grows its UNITS FASTER than BMW or MB, it isn't making "progress" vs the competition???
Do you understand that Toyota/Lexus can be imperfect (let's say a "B+", all things considered) but still continue to gain market share (rather than being doomed to exit the N.A. market as you suggest) if all its major competitors are even less perfect (let's say C's, B-'s, and B's)?
I'll ask again, must an Olypmic athlete be perfect in all respects in order to finish #1? Or is it sufficient to simply be closer to perfection than the competition? The answer, I think, is "trivially easy" (as a professor would say).
NOT JUST. please read my post again. Not just conveys that toyota has to be on top not only in revenue, profits and market value but it has to be able to command higher price per vehicle sold.
I hope it sinks in this time.
I never said I am a research professor in anything, let alone Business.
Doomed to exit is a very real possibility just as it is for Mitsubishi, Isuzu and Subaru, those tiny others whom I will take to task later this month.
Toyota may not be as weak as other asian automakers at the moment in US, but its very vulnerable.
In last 5 decades after coming to US, they have just 13% of market share. This simple fact can tell us a lot about the mammoth challenge against mighty Ford.
Maybe you should construct a graph of Ford's market share over its history. Then add Toyota to the graph. It will be very revealing for you.
Then do the same for Lexus vs Caddy, Lincoln, BMW, Audi, MB.
You know, I've come to the conclusion that you are probably a troll. No MIT PhD could possibly actually believe some of the things you have posted here.
Syswei, I just don't get your post sometimes!
I remember when Merc was just a Troll.
And look at him now! I'm so proud of him
LOL!!
DrFill