NM response………I dont support one car maker. If your a regular you would “CLEARLY” know that! I would plump for an i30 ahead of others, a Fiesta ahead of others, a Mazda 6 ahead of others and Falcon ahead of others. Iam referring to overall that Toyota appeals over a wide range but lacks some soul and class…but still enough to outsell others!

Once again you have gone off on another tangent SOB disregarding what the conversation was about cause you lost.

Your the king of cut and paste though.

Alex Taylor III
Reporter Associate Jeremy Kahn
Fortune Magazine

Two days a month, more than 50 automotive executives and engineers travel to a sprawling manufacturing complex in Georgetown, Ky., to learn how Toyota makes cars. The tours, which include an intensive question-and-answer session, last five hours and are booked months in advance. Although the visitors all work for competing automakers, Toyota charges them no money and places nothing off limits. Lately Ford and Chrysler technicians have been regular visitors to one of the two assembly lines, while General Motors personnel have demonstrated a particular interest in the powertrain operations.
Toyota flies

Toyota’s showing the opposition how it makes cars is a bit like Coke’s giving Pepsi a peek at its secret syrup formula. The Toyota Production System on display at Georgetown applies not just to manufacturing but also to almost everything Toyota does, from product development to supplier relations and distribution. But Toyota officials don’t mind. Deep down, they know that the TPS techniques that visitors see on their tours–the kanban cards, andon cords, and quality circles–represent the surface of TPS but not its soul. Toyota isn’t worried about giving away any important secrets on a plant tour.

That may sound arrogant, but the evidence supports the conviction: Despite years of imitation, nobody has succeeded in displacing Toyota as the world’s most proficient auto company. Mercedes-Benz may dazzle with its sophisticated engineering, Honda with its engine technology, and Chrysler with its styling. But Toyota sets the standard in efficiency, productivity, and quality. GM officials say Toyota is the benchmark in manufacturing and product development. A high executive at BMW whispers that, national pride notwithstanding, he regards Toyota as the best car company in the world.

Surpasses 300,000 Sales in Record-Breaking Year

TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 4 — Lexus surpassed 300,000 in annual sales for the first time ever in 2005, retaining the crown as American’s No. 1-selling luxury brand for the sixth consecutive year. Total U.S. sales came to a best-ever 302,895, up 5.5 percent from 287,927 in 2004.

Since its inception in 1989, Lexus has enjoyed steady growth and expanded business, success the company attributes to its devotion to the pursuit of perfection and its total focus on the customer experience.

“At Lexus, we believe that the ultimate success is a satisfied and loyal customer,” said Bob Carter, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “Our business model is based on treating every customer like a guest in our own home, which means providing the highest quality of attention and care at every level: from design conception to dealership and from purchase to service. This, more than any number, is our goal at all times.”

The 300,000-unit milestone has been achieved only on three other occasions, by Cadillac, in the mid 1980s. Since that time, no other luxury nameplate has been able to reach this sales pinnacle, even in a thriving auto market.

Sales of Lexus passenger cars achieved all-time record-breaking results with 151,226 units, an increase of 11.5 percent over 2004. The Lexus flagship LS 430 premium luxury sedan continues to be the segment leader with sales of 26,043 units. The all-new GS mid-luxury sport sedans and IS entry-luxury sports sedans contributed heavily to the record year. The GS 300/430 achieved best-ever year-end combined sales of 33,457 units. The GS 300 recorded best-ever monthly sales of 2,973 units, an increase of 305 percent, while the GS 430 posted sales of 458 units, an increase of 349 percent. The all new IS entry-luxury sport sedans, which debuted in October, enjoyed a best-ever overall combined sales month of 4,518 units, an increase of 573.3 percent over the same period last year. The IS 250 reported sales of 2,887 units, while the 306-hp IS 350 enjoyed sales of 1,631 units.

Lexus luxury utility vehicles enjoyed a banner sales year, up 0.2 percent at 151,669 units. The RX 330 was the luxury utility vehicle sales leader in 2005 with 108,775 combined units sold, an increase of 2.4 percent over the same period a year ago. It was the second year in row for the RX to reach 100,000 units in annual sales. The RX 400h, the world’s first hybrid-luxury vehicle introduced in April, earned sales of 20,674 units in 2005. The GX 470 mid-size luxury utility vehicle recorded a best-ever sales month in December of 4,599 units, a 4.4 percent increase over 2004.

In addition to record-breaking new-vehicle sales, Lexus Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle sales hit all-time record highs in 2005. Lexus CPO sales of 45,998 for the year were up 5.3 percent over 2004 calendar year totals. For the fourth year in a row, Lexus Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Vehicles ranked first in customer satisfaction in the 2005 J.D. Power and Associates Used Vehicles Sales and Certification Study (UVSC).

Well-recognized for the excellence of its vehicles, Lexus has topped J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) for 11 years running. 2005 marks the fifth consecutive year with Lexus as the top-ranked nameplate in the association’s Initial Quality Study (IQS), making a clean sweep of five individual segment awards. The SC 430 topped the entire study, as well as the premium luxury car segment with the LS 430 in second. In the APEAL Study, Lexus had the highest number of models at the top of their respective segments: the GS 300/430, RX400h, LS 430 and IS 300/IS 300 SportCross. Lexus also ranked number one in the J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Customer Retention Study(SM), gaining 3.5 percentage points from 2004 to take the lead in 2005 by retaining 63.0 percent of its customers. The industry average was 49.6 percent.

“Our bottom line is not a dollar figure, it is an experience — the customer experience,” Carter explained. “In recent years we have worked to expand that customer base by delivering the industry’s first luxury hybrid SUV as well as by continuing to improve upon already proven and loved vehicles.”

Lexus’ focus on progress is reflected in the performance and innovation of the all-new IS and GS luxury sedans. The brand continues to make strides in multiple arenas with its ongoing dedication to expanding hybrid technology into other models. Design is critically important as well, with a whole new design direction leading the way towards vehicles that appeal as much to the eye and the senses as they do the driving connoisseur.

“We started out to be the best,” Carter said. “We never imagined we would be the biggest. Lexus is about providing our customers the best possible experience. One that we know will keep getting better and better.”

Increased competition from Korean as well as Japanese and U.S. automakers really sliced up the midsize car pie in the last decade, but Camry continues to set the pace.

A comprehensive survey by New York-based private research and consulting firm Reputation Institute took stock of over 1,000 companies’ brand images, evaluating respondents’ perceptions of trust, esteem, admiration and good feeling to determine the final result. Ranking as the only automobile manufacturer with a score of more than 80 – placing it in the top tier of all manufacturers – Toyota also finished first in five of seven categories overall, earning it the title of World’s Most Respected company.

The product is the driving force, though volume sales pose risks
Strong consumer perceptions of quality and value along with safety and reliability put the Toyota brand at the top of the charts. The way the company stands behind its products also influenced the results, showing that not only consumers, but the company itself, has confidence in the cars produced.op automotive brand in Australia, and not just in sales
According to a survey by Australian Reader’s Digest, Toyota ranks as the most trusted brand in Australia as well. That trust is given ample evidence by the actions of the Australian buying public.

The strong June market, and the record first six months of 2008, saw Toyota set several records for overall sales volume, putting it over 11 market share points ahead of closest rival, Holden. Total vehicle sales in June cleared 25,000 for the first time ever for any vehicle manufacturer in Australia’s history. Toyota also set a fiscal year record, selling over 247,500 vehicles, the first time any carmaker has broken the 200,000 mark.

It’s clear that on the raw numbers alone, Australians have been voting Toyota the number one brand in Australia for quite some time.

Year-to-date, Toyota leads the market with 44,309 vehicles sold, followed by Holden with 26,979 and Ford with 20,986 vehicles.

another recall you are so WRONG! the first choice for anyone’s first car is a corolla or echo or camry! why would anyone want to buy a heap of s**t oversteering unreliable no resale value holden commodore or ford falcon? ”

Geez mate Im sick of hearing your opinions,you know NOTHING about Holdens and Fords let alone the Muscle cars of yesterday and their worth in OUR great Country.

Here is a little bit of info you may want to read.

“Holden trumps Ford in First Car Race
12 April 2009

HOLDEN has trumped Ford in the on-going battle of the Marques with almost a quarter of Australian men owning a Holden as their first car, according to research commissioned by Bankwest.

Bankwest research also revealed that 17 per cent of women grabbed a set of keys to a Toyota as their first set of wheels.

And when it comes to getting advice about a potential purchase, women are far more likely than men to seek advice from an “expert”.

The iconic Aussie Holden was tailgated by arch-rival Ford in second place, with 15.5 per cent of men calling a Ford their first car, with Toyota holding down number three with 10.3 per cent. Next across the chequered flag were Mazda (4.4), Nissan and Volkswagen (4.1), Mitsubishi (3.7), Mini (3.0), Honda (2.3) and Hyundai (1.4).

In more bad news for Ford, the Bankwest research revealed Australian’s first car love affair with Holden isn’t restricted to Aussie blokes: 16.1 per cent of women bought one as their first car followed by Ford (13.7), Mazda (6.7), Mitsubishi (5.5), Nissan (5.2), Honda (4.3), Hyundai (3.7), VW (3.5) and Mini (1.5).

Bankwest spokesperson Adrian Bradley said men preferred a car with a bit of grunt like a classic V8 Commodore, while women went for a more fuel efficient four-cylinder Toyota.

“It’s probably no surprise a lot of blokes want a car you can hear before they actually arrive,” he said.

The national research was carried out with 1250 Australians by market research firm Brand Management, with 60 per cent saying they saved up to pay cash for their first car – men were more likely (63 per cent) to do so than women (52.4)

A quarter of Australians got a loan to pay for the car while 21 per cent said their parents paid for some or all of their first car, and for a lucky 3.7 per cent – their first car was a gift.

The amount splurged on the first car differed with age groups, with 21 to 30 year olds spending on average $9973 while those aged 51 to 60 spent $5214. The price difference is due to the fact that most 51 to 60-year-olds bought their first car up to 30 years ago.

But when it came to their current car, almost one in four Australians bought a new car while one in six chose a used car. This varies depending up on age, with younger Australians aged 21-30 buying used and almost half of those aged 51-60 buying their current car new.

More than half paid cash for their current car, and the propensity to pay cash increased with age. Of those who didn’t pay cash for their current car, 64.5 per cent took out a personal loan for it, with women (75.1 per cent) more likely than men (43.3).

The most important element of a car loan is the low interest rate, with 73.9 per cent of respondents ranking this first. The second most important element was a repayment amount that suits them (26.2 per cent), and a low application fee (25.9 per cent).

Other interesting facts:

* 53.0 per cent know how much interest they are paying in total for their loan. Men were much more likely than women to know how much interest they would be paying in total (65.7 per cent vs 40.8 per cent).
* 40.2 per cent of respondents paid out their personal loan early.
* Of those who did not have a personal loan, 54.4 per cent lease their current car. Men are much more likely than women to lease their car, at 60.6 per cent of men vs 39.7 per cent of women.
* 5.4 per cent of respondents normally keep their car for less than two years, 27.0 per cent keep their car for two to four years, and 34.1 per cent keep their car for four to six years. One third of all respondents keep their car for longer than six years.
* When shopping around for the right car finance, more than half of all respondents would compare different lenders (60.6 per cent), use online calculators to check how much they could borrow (58.2 per cent) or speak to their main bank to find out about their products (57.8 per cent).
* One third of respondents would speak to family/friends who know about the topic (37.9 per cent), submit applications or quote requests online (36.2 per cent), read articles or information published online about car loans (33.0 per cent) when shopping around for a car loan.
* Women are much more likely than men to speak to friends or family who know about the topic (43.8 per cent of women vs 33.4 per cent of men).
* One quarter (25.4 per cent) of respondents would speak to a car dealer to get information about a car loan.”"

Once again Sick of Bogan/Figjam you have showed your ignorance to other manufactures .

I know that but its taken then what – 5 seasons and over $300m to do it and still no championship title..

Thats a sh!tload more than what Mitsubishi spent in their Paris To Dakar Rallies which they have won more than 5 times… and its a lot harder going over undulating territory with various road surfaces weather conditions etc than it isgoing round and round a specially built track in a computer controlled missile – That’s not taking anything awy from F1 mind you

I agree the point of owning a 4wd isn’t to win races – the point of owning a 4wd is because you want to go off road is it not?

During the Paris to Dakar the competiors have to contend with some of the harshest conditions imaginable such as water crossings sand dunes rocky terrain etc do they not?

Therefore; the Paris to Dakar would have to be one of the best ways to develop a 4wd and prove what it can do. would it not?

BTW: the Mitsubishi Pajero has won more than just one Paris to Dakar Rally.. infact its closer to 7-10 and the support that they have had is nothing compared to what the Toyota F1 team have

And I believe the Pajero was recently announced as Australian 4wd magazines 4×4 of the year was it not?

You dont give any credit to another manufacturer other than Japanese.

You do know the number one choice for your first car in THIS Country is a Holden,Ford second and Toyota third.

quote “nobody will ever take away the fact that toyota is and always will be the preferred choice in new cars! ”

What a load of RUBBISH ! Based on WHAT ? Your opinion dude!

Not with everyone Figjam… and that is what you don’t seem to understand [again not just You but the other 5 or so Lex-ota fans on here]

Your comments often imply that anyone who doesn’t own or drive a Toyota must be an uneducated moron from a lower socio economic background who is attracted to their brother or sister

The fact still remains that whilst Toyota do make / have made some relatively good cars they also suffer reliability problems and do have / have had quality issues which is why they have recalls just like every other manufacturer.. something which you [Toyota fans] are unable to accept or recognise