So...there seems to be a lot of buzz around Toyota these days. What does this mean in terms of status? What would happen if toyota came to surpass Ford and GM in annual sales? Is there going to be any realistic consequences with a possible "take-over"? GM is #1 right now...but I have absolutley no fondness of any of their products (excluding the Corvette) and I have never had any liking towards any Toyota ever made. If they end up taking the "Number One" position...I can't see any more reason to buy one either. Is it just me, or will the general public, enforced by the media, have more of an excuse to buy Toyota?
The worst I can for see is a rise in stock for Toyota. The reprcussions could be an intense battle between the (new) big 3 for top spot. That means quality will improve. Ford is still in the middle of a major restructuring...come 2009 with the new F-150, and new product line...I believe the field will be a little more level. Opinions?

 

I agree with your logic. If Toyota takes over the #1 spot it won't spell disaster for any of the "big 3". I can't see why some poeple seem to be intimidated by Toyota or any other manufacturer building a "better" ( and I say that because it's all a matter of opinion ) truck or any vehicle for that matter.

My Fords have done me very well and I could basically care less if Ford is #1 or #4. As long as my Fords keep humming for another 200 000 miles why would I care they are restructuring and lost money. If I had family members who lost jobs over this my opinion would be different but it's not the case.

The media has played a big role, I would say enforced might be a strong word, nobody is forced to buy a Toyota. It's a choice made that can be highly "influenced" by the media and word of mouth.

My opinion is that Toyota is having a good run right now, Ford, GM, and Dodge have all expericened it and I believe with this new restructuring of Ford, things will turn around.

 

I dont see GM out of the #1 spot anytime soon. GM and VW have placed bets early in China and I think that will reward both companies in the future. That being said, GM does need to change some things here in North America in order not to loose more market share to Toyota.

#1 End the confusing brand strategy (kill Pontiac, Buick, Saab, Hummer). You only need entry, mainstream, luxury and commercial trucks.
#2 Hire a decent designer. Harley Earl, Bill Mitchell and the like put GM on top. Todays product is bland or ugly.
#3 Get serious about appealing small cars. They used to be good at it a very long time ago (1961-1963 Skylark, for example). If you dont capture young, first-time buyers, you can loose a whole generation of customers.

Jim

 

Just wait tell they are number one in NASCAR...YEEHAAA the furr will fly.

 

^it will take them quite a bit longer to get #1 in F1 though... and I tell you what, the Red Bull car looks alright this year, Mr Newey appears to have earnt all his big $$$

 

I don't know..............since the Camry will be the only "body" in NASCAR built in the U.S., maybe the rednecks will be proud???

 

Nascar has gone downhill in the last two decades, to the point where the cars they race aren't real. Still...people flock to watch it. Don't understand.

 

I agree.

"Win on Sunday...sell on Monday" is rather impossible to do, since what they race today can't be bought anywhere on Monday, or any other day, for that matter.

NASCAR=National Association for Specialty Car Auto Racing

 

How long will it be before Kia, Hyundai, ans Nissan get into NASCAR ? Ford should just pullout for awhile like Dodge did and get there crap together. F*** NASCAR. Run the cars off the showroom floor like they used to, then well see what we got.

 

People watch because other professional sports have gone downhill even more than NASCAR. I can record a 500 mile race on my DVR and watch the whole thing in under an hour after I skip cautions, boring parts and commercials.

I'm being invaded by NASCAR about 5 miles from my house.

http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/070202/0210861.html

 

That's a good point. The only sports I can stand watching anymore are Hockey, and UFC (UFC is getting worse as well)....used to be able to watch CORR, but it get's repetitive, I'd rather be out driving myself.