Toyota increasing stake in Subaru?
April 3, 2008 by George Skentzos
Toyota could be planning to increase its current 8.7 percent stake in Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. – the company behind Subaru, reports Nikkei English News.
The transaction is said to be valued at over AUD$320million, with Toyota planning to increase its stake by 64.25 million shares to 17 percent.
Now the current majority shareholder, Toyota pursued Fuji in 2005 after General Motors ended its stake in the company.
Toyota and Subaru are currently collaborating to produce a low-cost spiritual successor to the AE86 with a lightweight, rear-drive, boxer-powered sports car.
The transaction will be reviewed by Japan’s Fair Trade Commission.
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****************Primo*****************
hopefully toyota doesnt turn subaru boring
Mitch -
Other than the turbocharged models, subaru ARE boring, and one thing they are is U.G.L.Y
Once its 30%, due to bizzaro Japnanes businees law, it will be fully owned by Toyota, like Daihatsu and Hino.
Looks like thats the way its heading.
Then maybe subaru can start building some non-wagon, and non-ugly vehicles, this could happen as soon as BigT takes over?
Cheers
F-O [NOT Primo!]
Subaru are so close to become Toyota, they have completely reformed their image over the last couple of years, so the Subaru of old, won’t be reckonisable at all, in the future. Without boxer engines and AWD, they are Toyotas with Subby badges.
Ooooch … Toyota has once again outsold Holden and Ford combined in the month of March 2008 and that doesn’t even include the sales of Lexus.
Toyota’s sole effort was 21 700 units compared to the Holden/Ford’s combination of 20 400.
OH WHAT A FEELING … TOYOTA
Obviously Toyota seen the standard AWD across the range as a threat in some segments so they bought it.Even if u don’t like the Subaru styling u got to give it to them for offering True AWD across the range and thus raising the bar for others to follow.
Oh Dingo these figures u mention only comfirm the gullibility of the buying public. We are spoilt for choice in Oz which makes Toyota’s position even more tragic.
So many better choices even just considering the jap makes proves that many people are mesmerized by the toyota hype
Nice figures Dingo. Apparently though according to Ford fairy folk people just buy Toyotas because of marketing, they dont even consider other competition when spending $40k of their hard earned money. But Falcon and Commodore are great vehicles, even though they are 80% sold at heavily discounted prices to fleets.
WHAT A MONTH … March 2008
The Camry out sold the Falcon while the Falcon only marginally outsold the Aurion. Combined – the Camry/Aurion is the biggest selling unit in Australia ecilpsing the Commodore by a fair margin.
Also – the Kluger outsold the Territory !!
Now … that has gotta be painful.
OH WHAT A FEELING … TOYOTA
Toyota = 21 700
Holden + Ford + 20 400
…. Oooch !!
Already knew about Kluger, but Aurion + Camry outsold them both. Well there you go, Toyota is on top in all segments. But its only cos of marketing…..
Ooops … how dare i forget – 6 of the top 10 sellers were Toyota’s
OH WHAT A FEELING … TOYOTA
ps. TP – time to enjoy a nice cold beer dude … cheers dude!!
Maybe u should have a sleep over at TP’s Dingo.
Sounds like you are already tugging each others forelock as I write. ha ha ha.
Just goes to prove what mediocre crap u can sell with the right marketing/spin.
I feel sorry for people under 100 years of age who actually look at a Toyota and get excited. You must be very boring and conservative people.
Yeah I know a Aurion for example is prity boring, yet its the fastest car in segment. Same applies to Tarago and Kluger. Whats that make the competition?
Agree with u on that KJ.
I think gradually tradional Toyota buyers will come to realise they can get the same blandness at a far better price and standard options list over at Hyundai.
Dingo -
There is no doubt Toyota is a monster selling machine, and thats a fact.Its the most popular brand on the planet, but unlike GM, [ex #1] over a larger and better range.
Great product [that people want to buy] great marketing, fair price, fair dealer network, how can they fail?
Good’on’em i say!!
Cheers
F-0
TP the Aurion is passable but the Kluger and especially the Tarago are Fugly!!!
The Kluger isnt ugly…. better then outdated looking territory. Tarago fair enough, but hey its either an avg looking Tarago with power or a good looking but completely gutlesss Honda.
The new Kluger is uglier than the previous model and in standard guise is FWD. The AWD version isn’t true AWD like the Territory and base Territory is RWD. Territory is superior on both counts for less.
At least previous Kluger had proper AWD. As usual Toyota have brought out a new model that is cheaper to produce at a higher price.
Cabin space superior in the Territory by miles. 7 seater option light years ahead in the Territory as well. Not only stow and go type seats but recess also provides for a foot well which means your knees aren’t around your ears.
Torque characteristics better suited to a vehicle of this size in the Territory.
Only leaves the Kluger with the badge and unfortunately to many people this obviously means everthing.
Toyota is planning a new sports car to fill the current gap in its range. I hope it will be a good car with a real sports engine instead of the previous Celica with Camry engine.
I will buy one as a 3rd car for the household, if it is good.
previous celica had a sports engine :p the exige/elise one.
The one before that had the camry engine and it was a very ordinary “sports car”. Off course bar the gt4 version.
as long as subaru keeps there awd, boxer horizontally apposed angines and symmetrical drivetrains, with class
leading safety (5 star) on all models and built in japan
quality, it cant hurt having toyotas marketing muscle help
and resources.. go sooby..!
Realcars its better looking… and you knocks, well the Kluger won Drives award over the Territory…. its also the leader in the market right now… so sorry your completely wrong as usual.
TP the new tribeca kills them both anyway,, has proper
awd system, boxer 3.6 engine, 5 star safety, vdc/esp that
works unlike toyota system (refer wheels coty article,) and the tribeca has the smoothest auto box i have ever felt..;plus the handling advantage of symmetrical drivetrain with low mounted boxer engine..
Well Drive, the external party here, doesnt agree with you. Personally I think the Tribecca is still ugly and the Boxer engine despite sounding great is a mainetnance nightmare.
Toymotor may sell a lot of cars but there are a lot of girls and grannies out there who just see a car as transport and don’t really know any better. As long as it has 4 wheels, the right colour and a mirror to do their makeup in they don’t really care. To anyone with a modicum of interest in cars they make the most boring cars on the planet. Their only interest is numbers. I cannot think of one single vehicle in their entire range that excites me enough to want to buy it. A lot of people think the new Impreza range is ugly now well wait until the Toymotor influence kicks in. To all those Toymotor lovers out there you people lack personality and are boring as batsh&*^t. Meanwhile I will stick with my MY08 WRX.
Holden and Ford freaks – is that a pink or purple hanky washed in cuddly or fluffy.
You poor losers are gonna be desperate to blow those sniffling, dribbling noses of yours and dry those weeping little princess eyes.
Boo hoo freaks … Toyota mutilates Holden and Ford yet once again.
OH WHAT A FEELING … TOYOTA !!
The main reason Toyota are interested in Subaru is so they can pinch Subarus Symmetrical All Wheel Drive System which they need inorder to create a serious competitor for the GT-R as it gives exceptional balance/weight distribution which results in better performance and handling
And what’s wrong with the Boxer? Porsche have been using them for years and have engineered it to such a point where the power they can get out of em is simply phenomonal
Dingo – you sound like a Communist mate, everyone must drive Toyota’s nothing else counts. Just a thought. You clearly want Holden and Ford to fail in Australian markets, an industry which employs many nationals and keeping Australias GDP off the deck.
Your not exactly patriotic are you! :(
What Dingo and TP have forgotten is that:
At the Media/Industry day at the Tokyo Motorshow [last year] the 2IC at TMC in Tokyo made a statement in which he let slip they’re considering either closing or down-sizing their Australian Operations.
TMC then made a subsequent press release denying it.. yet as we all know in business as in politics the more they deny something the more likely it is that its true..
So there’s every possibility of Toyota could be the next to go. Particularly wheng TMC is starting to focus more on the US market
I read it in an issue of Wheels – around the same time as the motorshow..
Holden Australia means more to GM in relation to design research and development etc than Toyota Oz means to Tokyo.
That is they have a higher position in the GM hierarchy tha Toyota does in TMC.
actually Wheelnut,
Toyota’s interest in increasing stake on FHI (Subaru’s owner) is due to a variety of things.
Yes, the 4WD that Subaru engineered and has polished all these years is a very good asset to be able to use.
But regarding the GTR comment, I dont think its that definite. Toyota is more likely to develop a mid-price car to compete with the 370Z, due in 2010. Currently the 350Z is being sold at about 70K AUD… f%@king rip off to be honest… should be 55K max… again its about 25~30K equivalent in Japan and about 35~37K USD.
Good car.. very good.. but overpriced down under.
Anyways, the 370R would replace the 350Z obviously in that price range… Toyota has a couple of vehicles, from what I understand and hear that they plan to enter into the market, one is going to be in the mid-price and the other in the low-price… again, some people probably seen renderings.. hehe, those are just artists renderings too, but some are scarily accurate… anyways. The low range car being RWD is the biggest surprise, its all about how to overall power these cars… the low range would most likely be “assisted” by Subaru in terms of drive train and platform….
The 4WD system from Subaru I dont think will benefit these 2 vehicles… and the GTR/NSX “supercar” from Toyota is on the shelf and if given the green light is going to be under Lexus name. In all cases, its too late to change platforms.. and Toyota has pretty darn good platform to use anyways, from their Lexus range.
Again, Toyota as everyone know is conservative, and they have the right to do so, look at the success.. but they are aware of the “boring” perception.
TP you obviously have no clue about engines or mechanics,,
the boxer engine is internally the most balanced engine in the world because of the counteracting action of the pistons! 1. boxer 6cyl 2. boxer 4cyl 3.the v8
also subarus are much more reliable and with less problems/warranty claims than any ford or holden by far!!
Hahha yes I have no idea bout engines. I do ALL the work on my V6. But yes I dont know a great deal about Boxers, I dont have a Boxer, as 99% of people dont. And if you read what I wrote, I said it means costly maintenance… for example a simply task like spark plug change would cost you an arm and a leg in labor, forgetting other types of unscheduled maintenance! But yes I know that Subarus are meant to be quite reliable, what every engine comes to a point where it needs repairs, with a Boxer it can be more expensive.
I cannot see how how Toyota has anything (save for a few decent shell designs) that will benefit Subaru. The benefits are all one way – Toyota’s way. It will be a sad day when the boringness of Toyota’s culture and vehicles in general permeate thru the innovative culture of Subaru.
I just can’t imagine having the ‘Toyota Owners’ Club in place of the Subaru clubs. Perish the thought!
…and please don’t mention the Baurion TRD – because if that is as good as it gets for innovation and excitement from Toyota, I really will have to shift car companies IF Toyota’s rumoured increase ownership stake in Subaru ever takes place..
Flying High you driven a TRD? Another armchair critique, how the hell can you say with such conviction a car is boring if you havent driven it! Especially when some reviews have given it posititive comments. Mind you there is alittle thing called Lexus. I think Toyota wants Subaru to fill in the gap between Toyota and Lexus, so we will see a blend of both the brands and Subaru… its all good
TP (aka Toyota Paul) – Sorry mate, no offence, but as owner of a Suby Liberty GT – the original 2.0 Litre variety – I saw no need to drive something like a FWD jobbie from Toyota. And also, after having sat in the overdone interior of the TRD, it was about as far as I wanted to go. It would be a pointless exercise. I cant escape the feeling that Toyota just did a half baked job on the drive train for that thing. Which they did.
I can tell you that once you have tasted Subaru it is hard to go back down to a Toyota. Ask any Subaru owner. And I can say that categorically having owned a couple of Toyotas (brand new) in the past. I have no desire to own another Toyota given their current line up.
Fact is, I would hate to start feeling that way about Subaru, and my concern is, that if Toyota get their claws into Subaru, I (and many other Subaru owners) will need to look elsewhere to fuel our passions.
The original reason why Toyota brought shares in Subaru was monetry related on Subaru’s behalf. Subaru was looking for investers to raise some much needed capital injection to ensure their survivabiity in the long term. Toyota came onbaord and it was a welcomed move because thier cash reserves are huge which would assist Subaru emmensly. However, Toyota wasn’t about to give away cash for no reason and wanted assistance in return which should prove beneficial for each party.
Subaru gains access to some of Toyota’s wealth while Toyota gains access to some of Subaru’s technical ability hence thier alliance.
Because of Toyota’s current lineup is why so many buyers choose a Toyota including myself. Thier range today is the best it has ever been with quality products that are competitively priced, equipped, safety rated not to mention resonable up-keep costs and with some of the best engines going around.
Toyota has obviuosly striked the balance well with it’s current range as they are proving hugely popular. Personally, i want a TRD Aurion, a twin turbo charged V8 diesel 200 series Cruiser and a Lexus LS600hl. All Will look great parked in my triple garage.
Flying High I dont mind the Liberty GT… but it seems ignorant you can attack the TRD so much and then say the Libety is so great compared to it… simple fact, you havent driven it, forget these perceptions you have about FWD and all that fluff, it may have suprised you!!!
TP I have spoken to people who have driven the TRD and they all say the torque steer through the front wheels
is unbarable!! why have a car with that much power when it cant be used all the time and it relies on electronics to keep it controllable what a waste of time!! the gt tuned by sti can use all its available power all the time because of a wonderful envention called AWD!! why have all that power and torque through two driving/turning wheels when it can be through all 4?? also liberty awd is rwd bias
to give more fun cornering..
Chris Parr … you are WRONG – all reports have stated it can be distracting not unbearable but regardless remains a very good car and much, much better then what people like yourself would ever care to admit. Infact – the TRD Aurion is argueable the best and most potent FWD that can be found anywhere in the world.
And while talking faults – lets have a chat about the renouned troublesome brakes on HSV’s. It is commonly understood that brakes on HSV’s are of poor quality and suffer from premature fade after some continued exposure to heavy braking regardless of the fact that they are marketed as a powerful performance cars.
When pushed hard on tracks not only do brakes become a scary issue but so does overheating problems and power steering pumps.
You may recall the top 20 perfromance car shootout published by MOTOR magazine last year were the HSV dropped out at a pathetic 18th position (of 20 cars) because it suffered premature brake fade after just a single lap … that’s right – i single lap and the brakes began suffering.
So let me ask you this … what’s the use of having all that power and marketed as a performance car when the brakes are of poor standards when pushed beyond the norm. Not only is down right dangerous but is a waste of time … PERIOD !!
Oh yeah – i believe FPV’s/HSV’s rely heavily on Electronic giggy things aswell to keep them stable especially when thier backends can become easily distorted … am i wrong … NO I’M NOT !!
It is not a question of whether TRD is a good great or indifferent vehicle. The bottom line is Toyota have shown a lack of judgement in attempting to create a ‘drivers’ car using FWD. And, that is why there are so many ‘TRD’ ads on TV trying to flog the thing. The buyers they are targetting are not all that interested. I mean come on, I also have had two (yes 2) 2000 Celicas (manual and auto) that only put out 140kw (measly by current standards) and that is already too much for the drive train in my 130,000 km opinion. Toyota is not, cannot and will not be seen to have a ‘drivers’ car so long as they pursue FWD in their TRD or any other range. It is fact and it is unarguable.
Subaru’s are drivers cars in so many respects. And this post is about Toyota buying a stake in Fuji and in doing so quite probably crushing the spirit of Subaru.
Lozza, I can assure that Fuji Heavy Industries have no need for extra cash, so your post is a lot of cods wallop. Toyota can simply see that Subaru offer the best and want in on the action. My concern, as with most Suby owners, is that will spell the end of an innovative interesting safe quick exciting and sometimes quirky Subaru vehicles, for a range of mediocre middle of the road Toyota mode of transport.
I am not interested in bagging out Toyota’s. Just want them to leave Subaru the f**k alone so that Subaru can pursue what it does best. And Toyota can continue making cars for ppl that like middle of the road things with 4 wheels on ‘em but otherwise really dont really give a sh!t.
Ive heard positive feedback from TRD owners… I think your full of it Chris, they would have tested the vehicle prior to purchase, if it was that bad and noticeable they wouldnt have bought it in the first place. The reason why the TRD isnt doing well is its overpriced, Id buy one, but imo its $10k to much for a new entrant in the market.
Flying High – Lozza’s statement about Subaru persuing investers to raise cash for long term viability is infact true and if my memory serves me correctly even Australian Car Advice ran a brief article on the the initial purchase. Do yourself a favour and actually conduct some valuable research instead of flogging it off as crap and you will indeed learn that Lozza’s statement holds true value.
With regards to the TRD Aurion – it is a impressive FWD perfromance car at the very least and like i said, it a much better performer then people like yourself wish to give credit towards.
The chassis dynamics, poise, handling and ride have all been raised as strong characteristics not to mention is muscular, brisk and refined drivetrain. Times are impressive pulling low 14 1/4 mile sprints while in the laden up hill test managed to stay within 0.5 sec of the more powerful HSV’s/FPV’s not to mention the brakes are arguebaly the best unit amoung the trio offering powerful stopping power and resistance against fading.
I acknowledge that HSV/FPV represent bang for your buck but it is equally recognised that they are amoung the poorest quality and most troublesome examples that can be purchased not to mention the poor renoun reputation of HSV brakes.
I reserve little doubt that in time the TRD Aurion will prove a higher quality and a more reliable/depndable option to FPV/HSV.
Well said Dingo.
TP – visit the ARC web site as the first round of the Australian Rally Championships are on this weekend in Busselton south of Perth WA.
After the first two events (tarmac) conducted yesterday, they head into the forest today for the final leg (gravel)which should prove extremely competitive. However, the 2 TRD S2000 Corolla’s are coming first (Neil Bates) and third (Simon Evans) so far split by Eli Evans in his Subaru.
TP and Dingo; You look like robot gaywads always coming in here rattling off exactly the same spiel.
Especially the ‘oh what a feeling!’ at the end- seriously you can’t write this stuff. Corporate Eunuchs. I bet your both a hit with the ladies, you absolute gimps!
Honda and Nissan have better engineers than Toyota.
OH WHAT A FEELING … TOYOTA
Jump Dingo Jump
The Aurion has average rectangular front headlights that are droppy at the top with a boring curvature…..if we went back to previous model Camry around 3-5yrs ago (one with driving lights like eliptical) and installed that front end on Aurion it would be perfect. I still like it but it is too so bland and headlight and grille!
typo…..at headlights and grille!
I’M JUMPING … I’M JUMPING – but it still doesn’t change the fact that Toyota outsold Holden and Ford combined while 6 of the top sellers were Toyota’s.
JUMP, JUMP, JUMP … I’M STILL JUMPING !!
NM BS… The Aurion looks good… I have friends who dont care about cars (unbiased) who say the same thing. The Falcon on the other hand…. boooooring, FG is a BF slightly updated.
Poison… OH WHAT A FEELING LOL
TP…..is BS. You know this! I told you I would get a Sportivo Aurion as gold one I seen looked fine as! If you want a car for dynamic looks alone…..look elsewhere! The Corolla air intake at bottom and on sides is done to death by Toyota and Astra and many many many others! It is the lights what need doing and grille…..why; as boring bland!
You toyota pullers are same same…..Toyota is so good and big and they had to get full on Government intervention with funding in Japan for Prius. So much for your claim to fame on being giant in industry as to get all the funds is a huge joke! One does not need to be 5ft across the forehead to see that reality! Obviously you toyota pullers are too jaded to see that light! LMAO….HA HA HA HA!
No evidnece of funding… regardless people in glass houses dont throw stones, your beloved Ford had funding for hybrid in I6 engine. Whats happening to I6 now? Scrapped. I WANT MY TAX PAYER DOLLARS BACK FORD!
LOL…..you are amazing and ignorant as. You believe your gut feeling when evidence produced! Goose
Read stories on Prius…..its out there! Like you are! LOL
NM you are thick mate. Whre is the evidence? Its speculation it was funded. Toyota denied it. Both the speculation and denial have no facts backing them up.
Obviously you believe your fetish being Toyota. I put more credence in someone who has worked there! Gee you are stupid as where there is smoke there is fire….. obviously Toyota would deny it but it stands to reason as Prius first off block!
Former head of Toyota North America and current Chrysler co-President, Jim Press, has come out with a huge bombshell by saying development of the iconic Prius hybrid car was subsidised by the Japanese government.
Published towards the end of March, ‘BusinessWeek’, Press said that while he was working at Toyota, “The Japanese government paid for 100 percent of the development of the battery and hybrid system that went into the Toyota Prius”
What will you say next stupid…..that this is a lie and there is no Jim Press!
As I said, its called HERESAY. I dont think you learnt this, you left in year 10 right? And I dont really care if it was 100% subsidied, refer to above comment RE I6, at least its made it into production and is succesful, the hybrid I6 paid by AUSTRALIAN taxpayers is a complete flop.
No, it’s actually called HEARSAY.
Your HERESAY is where you stand in a particular place and say something. A bit like you on your soapbox.
HERESY is something different again, which is an opinion contrary to teachings of the church or other popular opinion. Actually, TP, you might have meant that all along!
Hehe, someone else might have left in Year 10, too.
TP….mate you struggle to spell and you only can look at things through your feeble Toyota obsession. Its funny how you can dismiss whether full funding was given to Toyota….I would be more worried about your crap thinking and obsessive stupidity then to look at my Year 10 as you put it. You sink to a massive low and alienate yourself through idiotic comments and beliefs! Get a shiela mate! Did you have one of those in kindie when you left?
Who cares … who seriuosly gives a damn if the Prius was funded by another party. Personally, myself and just about anyone else couldn’t give a sh*t.
Toyota has obviuosly squashed the aspirations of you Holden and Ford lovers into an oblivian (
Who cares … who seriuosly gives a damn if the Prius was funded by another party. Personally, myself and just about anyone else couldn’t give a sh*t.
Toyota has obviuosly squashed the aspirations of you Holden and Ford lovers into an oblivian (spelling) as you desperate clowns are resorting to negligable nit picking on issues that the rest of world couldn’t careless about.
It must soul wrenching to witness the sales charts month after month so i suggest you weaklings harden up before your ar*es completely drop out from those Size 20 Toyota Steel Capped Boots that are continually kicking the sh8t out of you clowns.
Hey dipstick…..life and things are cyclic. Your world revolves around one thing and is sad! Look at all world things clear as your obsessed and boringly jaded!
hey clown … EXACTLY – which is why the globe has warmed off GM and Ford motor-vehicles for much, much better models.
Enjoy your soul wrenching, aspiration squeashing and size 20 steel capped a*se kicking boot from Toyota month after month and no-doubt for a long, long time yet.
Oh yeah, that is Mr Dipstick to you thanks !!
Yes Mr Grumps and Toyota will have its season you silly little man! Thats reality! With everything in life….except your shallow singlemindness will remain constant!
Thats why Iam not offended by you or TP….as Iam not an out and out supporter of one car like you! Gee isnt Hyundai and Kia doing really well and big model range. Wait til you see there Kia Rio hybrid which only costs 20% more then a standard Rio…….and you spruik on about Toyota having cutting edge R&D. The only thing cutting edge is the game is changing and its self absorbed people like you who cant see light from day. Toyota’s day cometh!
and charging a premium for there Hybrids when they are available for sale……do you think Toyota will sharpen the pen on price as it will be overpriced like current Prius hybrid. Read the writing on the wall as it will happen.
i bought a vehicle from ford not shares.
it doesnt phase me in the slightest what the month to month sales produce.
high sales isnt proof of the BEST vehicle.
if it was then how come the 2 biggest toyota sellers (corolla and Hilux) are easily only mid pack when it comes to Journo reviews?
and dont give me your speil on farmers and tradies blah blah blah forged a reputation over years blah blah blah
TP and Dingo (aka Drongo) seem to completely miss my point and that is Toyota has no spirit – it has no soul. Toyota’s are run of the mill vehicles made for run of the mill people. Reliable – to an extent, yes. The Celicas need an inordinate amount of servicing. Quality, hmmm no. I have about 6 major reasons why not – not the least of which are paint runs on a brand new car!
Give me an example of the spirit of Toyota. Apart from a mid 90’s attempt with the GT4, Toyota has nothing. TRD is marketing hype in an attempt to put some soul into the place. But you cant buy soul. It needs to be part of the company’s framework. Some car companies have it, and others, like Toyota, do not.
And THAT is the biggest problem with this buy out. That the spirit of Subaru, which was started by a small bunch of guys in Fuji who, off their own bat, said “you know, I think we should build a car. Why? Because we can. Well lets go do it.” And so the innovation began.
Subaru. Spirit. Not a ‘lets make mediocre products for the masses’ corporation.
Higher flier … forget you dismal attempt at trying to discredit Toyota with your no soul claim.
Soul or no soul … fact is – Toyota is a highly regarded, respected and sought aftered brand that has established a nameplate for manufacturing quality, robust, reliable / dependable vehicles that are competive in all facets of engineering.
Over the past few years – Toyota has grown in strength, recognition and wealth beyond any other manufactuer and thier success has really shacken the foundations of the American owned manufacters.
Soul or no soul – Toyota is achieveing results ‘far and beyond’ what the likes of GM and Ford can invisage to achieve in thier current dismal state.
Today GM and Ford are broke, unprofitable and unstable (no soul to be found there) with no concrete plans in reversing thier fortunes anytime soon and to make thier dire situation more difficult – an ever increasing proportion of the global market are switching thier preferances to other manufactuers because quite frankly – the bulk of them engineer better motor vehicles and even if they are not, prefer them then a GM or Ford product regardless.
Every manufacturer has issues including Toyota but the fact remains – thier current approach is undeniably the most successful amoung of all returning results that any other automotive manufactuer would envy.
Not only has Toyota established itself as one of the worlds greatest manufactuers but so has Lexus while thier motorsport adventures are certainly taking hold aswell and none of it happens by mistake but because of persistance in achieveing a quality product for the market.
Take a look at Toyota’s presance in Australia compared to Holden :
Mainstream Toyota itself is the most diverse, stable and consistant fleet of all filling every segment with quality motor vehicles. Then there is Lexus which has considerably revamped it’s fleet aswell with some damn impressive examples while TRD Oz is continuing it’s slow but steady establishment that will no doubt successfully fill the gap between mainstream Toyota and it’s luxury market covered by Lexus.
Now lets talk about Holden for example – HSV range is good and certainly bang for your buck value while the Commodore range is OK but certainly nothing more. That mentioned, what about the rest of it’s fleet … quite frankly is it pathetic with some of the most awful examples that be purchased from any showroom floor in Australia today.
Thier new found passion for Daewoo not forgetting the 2 star death trap Barina is seriuosly flawed while the Rodeo is an ordinary commercial / 4×4 at the very best.
Where is the passion and soul in these cars … you would have to be an absolute dead-beat to think any of these Holdens have character and spice about them because quite frankly, they are awful motor vehicles.
If your Holdens and Fords are so great with character and soul, then explain to the rest of bloggers why thier cars are selling more poorly now then they ever have while Toyota on the other hand remarkedly grows in comsumer popularity at every passing year. It very much appears that soul is having little or no effect in selling cars for Holden and Ford so what does that suggest … not bloody much that’s for sure !!
But then again – Holden and Ford don’t have any soul left because it’s been has been wrenched out and shredded apart by Toyota over the past few years …. ooch – that would have to hurt !!
Oh yeah – selling Daewoo’s is not the framework for injecting soul and passion into your brand but if you engineer and manufactuer a quality product for the consumer – it will sell regardless !!
Holden lost it’s soul long ago and people like yourself live in the past while the bulk of the world has moved on. Forget trying to state that companies like Holden have soul because things like that are not dicovered in poor quality, unreliable and troublesome motor vehicles … PERIOD !!
The likes of Holden and GM have sold second rate, poor quality, unreliable and pathetic vehicles for many years and believe ‘you-me’ … most consumers couldn’t give a sh*t about soul if they are crap cars and the market is the only ‘True Judge Of All’ that makes or breaks sales.
Dingo
You seemingly ignore the fact that Toyota have made little impression in the Euro market.
Admitedly GM have made slow progress in recovering lost market share although they have four ten sellers in the UK. Toyota feature nowhere here.
February 2008 sales
Astra, Focus, Corsa, Golf, Fiesta, Vectra, Zafira, Pug 207, BMW 3 series, Ford Mondeo.
So wheres Toyoto, the almighty Toyota, stuck in the pacific rim is my guess.
for top ten sellers…sorry
6 of the top 10 best sellers in March 2008 … Toyota’s
2006 – Toyota beat 2nd place Holden by 66 000 units
2007 – Toyota beat 2nd place Holden by 90 000 units
2008 – if trend remains, Toyota will beat 2nd place holden by approx 10 000 units.
Holdens soul has been torn out shredded to bits … ooch !!
make that 100 000 units … missed an 0 – how dare i !!
I say boycott Dingo and TP……………
Dingo you seem to think the fact Toyota sells more cars is absolutely devastating to the ENTHUSIAST AUDIENCE of this site aswell as the car brands themselves. Your speeches are riddled with ‘ ouch thats gotta hurt’ which is laughably tacky and speaks volumes about the type of little person you are.
Holden and Ford both make good, WELL ENGINEERED cars (Korean shyte aside) that will actually put a smile on your face- occurance of faults might be higher than Toyota, but alot of people are willing to take that chance because they don’t want the automotive equivalent of snoring. By the way, Toyota’s success goes hand in hand with the fact our population has aged significantly in recent years.
I’m not anti Toyota, the Yaris is a genuinely impressive car that has a unique interior. But you and TP are p*issing into the wind with the frankly sad and pathetic amount of time and effort you put into that utter crap.
I bet less people would buy Toyota’s if they happened upon you two strapping young abortions.
Dingo I fell asleep during that. Just sums up the whole Toyota experience to me Zzzzzzzzzzzz.
Stop it Dingo you’re making me totally wet! Lets meet up again, this time I’ll be the catcher.
Aaaw thats not good blagging someones name.
Your right No Name, I apologise TP ; you were asking for it though.
Boy oh boy, I bet things get interesting in here tomorrow. What a shame I have more important things to do.
There yah go TP – thats me backing you up. No probs. ;)
wast up stanley yelatns?
love the slice..?
Dingo You say that we are living in the past yet the rest of the world has moved on.
If thats the case how do you explain the popularity of the modern versions of cars like the Mustang the Camaro The Corvette The Charger and The Challenger or even the GT – to name a few
The reason is because of the name. The people who are now able to buy an 08 Mustang for example were kids back when the original Mustang was around. Simply hearing the name Mustang evokes emotions and memories from their childhood
back then they dreamed of owning such a car and now they are able to fulfil a childhood dream
Car companies realise this which is why even though the new models are completely different to the originals in virually all areas apart from looks they continue to use iconic names of the classics
I mean I don;t think the name Corolla or Celica conjures up quite the same emotions or memories as Mustang or Camaro
and Im yet to see a Toytoa from the 60-70s sell for $400K+