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I used to build models of those, though my favorite is still the Corsair.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/97025/20...alian-history/
1. Toyota – 214,718
2. Holden – 132,923
3. Ford – 95,284
4. Mazda – 84,777
5. Hyundai – 80,038
6. Nissan – 62,676
7. Mitsubishi – 62,496
8. Honda – 40,375
9. Subaru – 40,025
10. Volkswagen – 38,016
They were also the best Asian brand in Germany.
You might even say that...
Toyota is Revving for 2011? :shades:
They need to get EnTune to market ASAP, and spread it across the lineup quickly.
They also have to work on the whole Scion lineup and the Lexus IS and GS launches must go well for them to start growing again.
I think it is Toyota's OVER REVVING that has them in trouble. :shades:
"Toyota still over revving in 2011"
So Toyota has chosen to sacrifice volume rather than add incentives for the Scion lineup.
Actually, I think that's fine...big incentives would erode residuals and hurt the brand in the long run. The real thing killing Scion? The Kia Soul is winning the toaster battle:
Toaster Battle
Soul: 67,110 (!)
xB: 20,364
Cube: 20,104
Over in the car commercials thread I've been telling people the ads with the Hamsters would work. Who believed me?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfJnqbudMzs
I hate to say this for fear of getting locked up but the Cube is growing on me...
The hipster message reminded me of something straight out of a Scion playbook, sadly one which Toyota seems to have abandoned, even neglected. :sick:
To be fair, Soul is going to fleets, too.
A8 doesn't quite have the status in Europe that an S or 7er does...and neither does the LS. Actually, for many, I believe that applies here too.
Maybe its because jd power does not do much publishing in Russia ? Or even if they do. the Russians, like the Chinese, does not take them seriously. They know that its much wiser to use personal experience and those of people they trust.
And even if they don't have access to these info, its just common sense that car maker's like VW, Renault, GM, Ford, Nissan etc brands which jd power kind of always put them low on the charts, cannot be THAT bad, if you look at their HUGE annual sales volumes around the world.
Unless you insist that only Americans understand how to look for quality cars and the rest of the world don't.
You can't just say toyota is the best just because they are big in the US. toyota is just average in many other countries, and they are being outrunned by other lower jd power ranked brands in fast growing big markets like China and Russia.
Or maybe again, like the Chinese, the Russians just DON'T understand how to buy quality cars....So silly of them...
The xB redesign really missed. They upsized the engine just as gas prices spiked, and the blind spots are horrible. Strike 3 is the center-mounted gauges.
Still, the Soul is winning 3 to 1! Not sure if the hip kids like the strobe lights on the speakers or the center console that looks like a skate board:
I must be getting old...I'm glad I don't have that center stack looking at me as I drive.
I drove a few beaters, and my first new car was a 1991 Ford Escort GT. For me it was all about bang for the buck. 127hp at a time when Civic Si made just 108hp. Even my buddy's Integra only made 116hp.
Is the Soul hip? Dunno if I'd go that far, but popular with college kids? It would seem so.
Compare to Mini:
For the year 2010, MINI reported sales of 45,644, an increase of 0.9 percent from the 45,225 sold in 2009.
That's for 3 models, too.
I realize Minis costs more, but are over-hyped IMHO.
Small cars are about bringing new buyers to the brand. If those Kia Soul buyers are happy, odds are their next car will be an Optima or Sportage.
I'd be interested in ownership demographics for this new box...might not be much different from the old xB. I don't see it competing with the Mini in any way, different target market.
Does Kia have strong enough owner loyalty that the odds favor a replacement going to the same brand? Or is that the same for any brand? Why not a Spectra or equivalent middle car?
I liked the looks of the old xB, the new one is butt ugly without class. When my truck was being serviced, they gave me a ride home in the Cube. It was on the noisy side. I don't like the looks much. I would never buy a car with CVT.
We were at our local Friends of the Library book store a couple days ago. The lady that volunteers on Wed has a Mini. It was not there so I asked her where her car was. She said the engine blew up. It looked new to me. However it is several years old and has 170,000 miles on it. The cost for repair was $7000 so it is parked and she bought a new Scion xD. I asked how she liked the new car. "It has more room than the Mini, just not near as much fun to drive". She is a retired college professor at least 70 years old.
That tells me that Toyota does not build fun cars to drive whether you are a college student or college professor.
Don't look at me...I had to borrow dad's station wagon, fake wood paneling at all, until I paid for my own set of wheels.
I actually drove 2 wheelers until I could afford cars.
I agree that they don't compete with Mini, it's just the Scion booth at auto shows sort of reminds me of the Mini booth. Similar marketing.
Does Kia have strong enough owner loyalty that the odds favor a replacement going to the same brand?
Yep, they are 6th best brand in loyalty, retaining 58% of buyers:
http://www.autonews.com/assets/PDF/CA71861129.PDF
And I bet a lot of the other 42% bought a Hyundai.
From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110103/AUTO01/101030443/Toyota-predicts-growth-in-U- .S.-market-for-2011#ixzz1AMdMhNsx
Hmm, what are those 10 models?
Lexus CT, IS, GS
Are any Scions due for an update? The tC just did, maybe they include that.
The Highlander got a refresh. Sienna came out as a 2011 model so maybe they're counting that, 4Runner and Lexus GX too I think.
That's 8, what did I miss?
They even lopped off the ugly roof and greenhouse.
Any other Gen Xers our there? This one-off is retro-cool, especially the "Prepare to Qualify" sound when you insert the cartridge.
Trivia time: who knows that game that was from?
It looks to me like Kia has the Mini in its sights with this 2012 model Soul.
I may have to have one... I would love to have a Mini. The closest dealer is 40 miles away. Kia is close by my Costco only 13 miles away.
To me it would be a good city car, for hopping around. It's small outside, kinda big inside, and dirt cheap. Plus that warranty.
Hopefully Hyundai/Kia put the new Elantra's powertrain in something like that, imagine 40mpg highway.
Well, it's a box, imagine 38mpg highway. LOL
Maybe a new Lexus ES?
New Corolla?
Hybrid RAV4?
A couple of years back, there was talk of a supersized luxury ute based on the Sequoia called the ZX___ or something. With the Land Crusier based LX570 I think it would be a waste of resources but maybe Toyota sees something left in the Infiniti QX56/Lincoln Navigator market (Big cushy, oversized and overstuffed utes that really aren't meant for off road duty like the LX570) to go after... I have serious doubts on this one.
An even bigger Sequoia would not find enough buyers, IMHO.
The current Sequoia is larger than the standard Escalade. Maybe they want a Suburban sized competitor. People that buy those type vehicles are not usually concerned with gas mileage. Or any other large vehicles. I would love to have a 30 MPG full sized SUV. I don't think the Feds will allow it to happen.
I'll wager the average Kia buyer doesn't even know about the Hyundai connection, same in reverse for Hyundai buyers. I have known Lexus and Acura drivers who had no clue about the parent companies of their cars.
Are there any demographics out there about the Soul? I'd be curious to see if it behaved like the xB or Element - not the exclusive youthmobile the marketers had envisioned.
Funny how better it looks without the roof
I'll wager the average Kia buyer doesn't even know about the Hyundai connection
You're probably right. But I think if you're shopping for a bargain on an import, you'll probably cross-shop both anyway.
Demographics? I'll search around. KBB.com used to put up some info on median age, income, education, marital status, etc., but unfortunately they stopped doing that. Bummer.
Funny how better it looks without the roof
Big time. They went for the "chopped" look - I think the designer spent too much time looking at a Chrysler 300.
And the previous model had been known for its huge green house and excellent visibility. They really screwed that up.
IMHO poor visibility and a poorly designed green house also hurt the Matrix redesign.
We know, from early research, that there is a secondary market for Soul among older buyers. We also know that if we stick with younger buyers with our marketing, that secondary older group will still have a look
http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/deep-drive-2010-kia-soul.htm
I'd tend to agree. That's pretty consistent with what I've observed.
Put it this way - if the radio is loud, it's a college kid. If not, it's a geezer. :shades:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/01/v-fullstory/1992746/dave-barrys-2010-year-- in-review.html
OK, I have to say this in advance, else some people here will believe everything they read - this is satire folks!
In other economic news, Toyota announces a huge recall following reports that its popular Camry model is behaving unpredictably — accelerating, decelerating, downloading Internet porn and traveling backward in time to unstable historical periods. This is expected to benefit Toyota’s competitors, especially troubled GM, which is hoping to score big with the new “Volt,” a revolutionary vehicle capable of traveling nearly six miles before its 19,500 triple-A batteries must be replaced
In business news, Toyota suffers yet another blow when a U.S. Department of Transportation study links the Camry to both diabetes and the JFK assassination. The CEO of Toyota appears before a congressional committee and offers a sincere and heartfelt apology for his company’s problems. At least that’s what his translator claims; it is later determined that what the CEO actually told the committee was, quote, “you have an eggplant in your bottom.”
...when the Deepwater Horizon rig explodes in the Gulf of Mexico after being struck by a runaway Toyota Camry ... a challenge that we, as a nation, will have to meet, as we have met other challenges, with a combination of photo opportunities, lawsuits and tweeting.
In the month’s most dramatic story, 33 copper miners in Chile are trapped 2,300 feet underground following a cave-in caused by a runaway Toyota Camry
Well, of course a VP of sales is going to claim the older crowd is a "secondary" group - but the coldest fact remains that young people usually can't afford new cars, especially in this devolved economy.
And gag me with model name that end with "!" and "+".
Pole Position...I always liked how quickly the score grew, but "Out Run" on Sega was my preferred old timey driving game.
What about KROM? LOL
Marketing must come up with this stuff during Happy Hour on Fridays.
So that explains the drop in sales for that low volume model.
And I loved that theme music so much, I learned to play it on the guitar!
Just went and sat in the Soul. They had 7 visible for sale. Three were 2010 models they were really pushing. It was really hard to tell which model was the top of the line. Unless it had those stupid low profile smooth highway only tires. The seats are pretty hard. Not for much more than a ride to town. Plenty of headroom. Rear seat leg room was marginal with front seat all the way back. Probably not going into my garage. Unless something happens to the LS400. The sales people tried the old double team routine when we were done looking. Really wanted us to test drive. We did not have time so left 3 of them standing in the driveway. We were the only lookers.
No Toyotas either.
...for the unwashed masses. :shades:
I actually don't have a lot against the Soul, other than naming suffixes, stupid racing stripes, and the taillights are awkward to me...but as a cheap box, it is probably as good as any.
Jan 7, 2011
Toyota, BP among America's most hated firms
Toyota and BP have joined airlines, banks and telecom providers as the most hated companies in the US, a poll showed. -- PHOTO: AP
WASHINGTON - TOYOTA and BP have joined a familiar cast of airlines, banks and telecoms providers as the most loathed companies in the United States, according to a survey published on Thursday.
The list of 15 'most hated American companies of 2010', compiled by website 24/7 Wall St is dominated by technology firms, which rank poorly in consumer and employee polls, stock market performance and press coverage last year.
AT&T is on the list for having patchy service, Dell for its shabby electronic store and fragile laptops, while satellite provider Dish Network features after a third of customers described its service as poor.
Dish Network's competitor DirecTV was also listed for perceived gouging through automatic contract extensions, and a 480 dollar cancellation fee.
Nokia, the world's biggest mobile phone company, saw its star fade thanks to customer complaints and a poor ranking for design.
But tech firms are not consumers' only source of angst. McDonald's, described by the authors as 'poster child for unhealthy food in America', is 'among the most savagely criticised firms', earning it an appearance on the list according to the website. -- AFP
I guess there are quite a number of Americans who, like me, are aghast at toyota's greed, corruption and cunning to hate them.
But there are also still quite a number of either clueless, or Americans who think Americans are stupid and cannot make decent cars today, or they think its exciting to drive a car which may accelerate suddenly on its own.
No wonder America's influence in the world today is going down and down. Turns out many Americans CAN'T THINK !
Yea, we don't see huge numbers of toyotas piling on the roads because all of them started to run away by themselves, but you also don't see all smokers dropping dead all the time because they got stroke or lung cancer. Its because the cases don't all happen at the same time.
Look, if it makes sense to buy that jumbo lottery the other day to try to win a once in a lifetime jumbo jackpot, even if the odds are only 1 in 176 million, if we go by the SAME LOGIC, it also makes sense to avoid toyotas today !
And do you think the chance of a toyota getting the SUA virus is only 1 in 176 million ? Remember folks, for SUA cases the no. of recalls is already more than 10 million. What does THIS MEAN ? It MEANS those 10 million toyotas STAND a CHANCE of getting the SUA virus.
Do your own maths and estimate for yourself what are the chances of a toyota going berserk ? It does not include other toyotas not recalled which turns out to have cases too. Not to mention other toyota quality problems which could bother you.
May I ask all Americans here : With other excellent car makers around for you to choose from like Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, and they don't have toyotas massive problems, and more importantly, they are not as crazy as toyota's shenanigan behaviour, why in the hell does Americans still buy toyota ? Can't Americans think ?!!
Tom and Ray: Car Talk.
"Q. I have a 1999 Camry CE that is maintained on a regular basis. Since I am a senior citizen, the annual mileage is about 3,000 miles per year. Yesterday the car was parked in a garage for about one hour. I returned and turned on the ignition. After one minute, I saw on the panel the oil and electrical red symbols. Then I heard an explosion. The car did not move or shake. I turned off the ignition, got out and saw oil leaking onto the ground under the front hood. I also saw two huge bolts and three heavy metal pieces. I then called AAA for a tow to my mechanic. My mechanic could not explain the cause of this explosion. He said it is a one-in-a-million incident since the car has only 43,000 miles on it. What is your theory of what happened? I would appreciate an immediate reply. I am concerned about this event, since I am having a used engine installed next week with 85,000 miles on it. Could it happen again? Thank you!
"RAY: But Toyota did have a problem with these engines getting “gelled,” or “sludged,” with oil, which can lead to poor oil circulation — and eventually to no oil circulation. And that can lead to your exact problem. In fact, a number of sludged Toyota engines failed in exactly the way you describe, by throwing a connecting rod.
"TOM: The good news is that Toyota recognized this problem, and extended the warranty for this problem for all affected Toyota engines built between 1997 and 2002.
"RAY: The bad news is that it extended the warranty to eight years, and you’re well beyond that now.
"RAY: If not, then I’d go ahead and replace the engine. Just ask your mechanic to check for signs of sludge or oil gelling in the valve train. Even if it looks clean, be sure to change the oil every 3,000 miles, just to be safe. You may even want him to switch you over to a synthetic oil. If you do that, you should get many more miles out of this car — with fewer engine explosions. Good luck."
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Toyota said today it plans to invest about $50 million over the next five years in the new group, called the Collaborative Safety Research Center."
Toyota to launch a safety research center at Ann Arbor technical center (Detroit Free Press )