25th Aug 2011, 23:12
While GM made a 2.5 billion dollar profit last quarter, Toyota LOST 1.4 billion dollars. And NO, "the tsunami did it" won't fly. There were (and are) thousands of Toyotas gathering dust on dealer's lots. There is (and was) never a "shortage" of cars. There was a tremendous "shortage" of buyer confidence in the most recalled cars in the history of the automobile. A recent article in a national publication said that Toyota hopes to try and regain some credibility with the "new" 2012 Camry, which is basically a mildly restyled version of the old "recall king". Lots of luck.
On a more positive note, Ford has agreed to work with Toyota on a new series of trucks. After Ford took over Mazda and Jaguar, both those brands increased in reliability and build quality. Now Toyota is looking to Ford, which has built the world's most reliable car (Lincoln) since 2008 to help them restore some of their lost credibility in the marketplace.
26th Aug 2011, 09:57
"While GM made a 2.5 billion dollar profit last quarter, Toyota LOST 1.4 billion dollars. And NO, "the tsunami did it" won't fly."
Facts are facts, they don't need to be explained again. This is plain, simple, amazingly uncomplicated economics. Saying that Toyota lost money NOT due to the tsunami is plain out wrong. Give it up.
26th Aug 2011, 10:59
I agree, and we gave Mazda a shot on a brand new Mazda 3 Touring. I have a Ford Edge AWD, and already have 36000 miles on mine. Great new cars with no issues.
27th Aug 2011, 17:46
Hi everybody.
I'm sorry that I have to change the subject of all these comments, but I did own a 1992 Camry from years 94-01 (34k-130k). All I can say is that it was NOT the most reliable vehicle I have owned, in fact it was the least reliable. In the seven years I had it, the rack and pinion, left window regulator, water pump, exhaust crossover pipe, 2 freeze plugs, radiator, A/C dryer and tube all had to be replaced. This does not include every oil gasket on the engine, including valve cover, oil pan, distributor seal, oil filter housing. They all leaked, and were all each replaced at the time they leaked.
This car was taken care of the whole time I owned it, and I did like everything about it for me to keep it as long as I did, but since then I have owned 2 domestics that were far more reliable.
I just wanted to share my 92 Camry experience, seeing how this original review is about a 92 Camry.
28th Aug 2011, 16:25
My extended and I family have owned several Japanese vehicles from the 80's, 90's and early 2000's. Some of these cars were made in Japan, some in the U.S. Contrary to what many people say, our Japanese-made imported vehicles were more poorly built and unreliable than the later U.S.-built cars. All-in-all, none of our imports showed the kind of reliability in day-to-day use that the worst of our domestics did.
As for the Tsunami causing Toyota's sales decline, that makes little sense, as Toyota has had huge unsold inventories for two years. Before gas prices started to rise, the Camry was sitting on dealer's lots longer than any other vehicle. Blaming the tsunami for the huge sales loss is like saying a mosquito could bring down a 747.
29th Aug 2011, 11:02
My best Toyota ever was a new 1977 Celica GT. In the latter 70s and 80s, I agree Toyota was a good choice. Low production quality was higher for us. I far prefer Ford and GM today.
30th Aug 2011, 11:11
How could the Tsunami not be the cause of Toyota's decline in sales? The fact that they were the top-selling global car maker right before the tsunami, and then suddenly fell in sales and production immediately afterwards, is absolute proof. I have yet to see a single news article that ties cars sitting on lots and the effects of the tsunami together. This is so incredibly obvious and economically simplistic, I can't believe it even needs repeating and re-explaining, because this is common knowledge. That's all there is to it. End of story.
Either way, my Toyota truck just turned over 247,000 miles and has had zero problems. I have absolutely no reason to believe that my next Toyota will give me any problems either, because so far none of them have. Millions of people like me will continue to buy them, because as far as we're concerned, they make the best cars and trucks out there, and the proof is from our ownership experiences.
31st Aug 2011, 13:56
Let's follow the monthly sales the remaining quarter and next year now that's its over. My prediction is Ford and GM as better picks due to better quality. My new cars are great. If you really want to find a new car, try an Internet search by zip code. I highly doubt you will have a wait unless you are after a Prius.
1st Sep 2011, 10:19
The little Tacoma may be better made perhaps than a car as well. Hard to believe a small import economy car would not face any issues prior to 247,000 miles. First, it's timing belts before 100k, and that involves a water pump, and while it's apart, new belts, heater cores, suspension issues, brake issues, and some with trans and engine issues on late models. Again, that's my opinion based on over 40 years of driving. We have 5 drivers, some in college with cars I helped buy as well as our own at home. None of our imports ever made that kind of mileage claim with no major issues. The #1 selling vehicle in America for many years has been full size Ford trucks, but this is a car review.
1st Sep 2011, 10:58
"Again, YOUR experience, you are not everybody, end of story."
Nope. Actually it's the story of the millions upon millions upon millions of Toyota owners like me, who collectively have had good reliable cars and trucks from this company, who have in turn given them their much-deserved reputation. My experience is more or less the typical versus exceptional experience. There you have it. Simple as that.
2nd Sep 2011, 12:30
The August sales figures are out. GM is tops, selling twice as many cars as Toyota in the U.S. and Ford is a close second. Chrysler sales are also up and way ahead of Toyota as well. And there are no shortages of Toyotas. Dealers lots are full of them. There has never been a shortage.
The biggest factor driving the increase in domestic sales is the fantastic quality and performance of new Ford, GM and Chrysler vehicles.
GM sells the highest mileage small car in the U.S. (the Cruze Eco), the only true sports car besides the Dodge Viper (Corvette) and the fastest sedan and station wagon on Earth (Cadillac).
Ford has the world-class Fusion, top-rated Focus and super-fast Mustangs, not to mention the best-selling truck for the past three and a half decades, the F-150. It also builds the world's most reliable car (as of 2008), the Lincoln.
Chrysler is coming out with an 8-speed automatic transmission soon on its Charger and 300 series.
Comparing these cars to boring basic transportation appliances like Toyota and Honda, it's easy to see why they outsell them.
24th Aug 2011, 16:20
The millions are all across the United States, Canada, Mexico, or any country for that matter. Also, if you read the REVIEWS, those are the people who have problems, not the comments. Comment 10:43 does speak a valid point though.