Bailouts: Toyota: America's Car Company

[gls]

http://www.businessinsider.com/toyota-americas-car-company-2009-7

A new study from Cars.com sheds light on the absurdity of thinking cars have a "nationality."

When you consider that even a post-bailout GM will expand its use of foreign labor, it shouldn't be that hard to understand how an "American" car isn't really so, just because its maker was founded in Detroit.

And more generally, there seems to be little reason to think that American cars are really more American in any metrics that matter: Namely, labor and parts inputs.

According to the new survey, the most American car in America is the Toyota Camry, containing the highest percentage of American inputs, even surpassing the Ford F-150. Actually, Toyota utterly dominates the top 10 list, with a Honda thrown in for good measure.

Now some might object to this, saying that even though these cars are "made-in-America", the value still flows overseas, but really, even that's not right. Toyota still pays taxes in America. Its stock is traded in the US, and is no doubt owned by individual retail accounts and mutual funds.

If you insist on coming up with some definition of "American" that limits that moniker to the Big Three, we suppose it's this: Only Chrysler, Ford and GM have the political clout to win a bailout if needed. We really can't imagine Toyota or Honda receiving so much political support. Of course, this is a circular definition that still doesn't say much, but it's the best you can do.
__________________

 

[Romulus]

GM is Govt Motors. 100%. The day has come when it's unpatriotic to buy American.

American business is either foreign ownded or govt owned. Do No Participate!

 

[SimpleName]

My question is, are Toyota or other Japanese/European companies partially owned by their governments? I never read anything about it, so I can only assume not, but knowing their economies that are certainly less capitalistic than the US, I figured maybe they are. If not, do any of their governments give them direct financial aid or special loans?

 

[buffalokid777]

http://www.businessinsider.com/toyota-americas-car-company-2009-7

Toyotas are the best car on the road, Its the most dependable car I've ever owned. The only car I have never needed to make a repair on. Im sticking with them until I see otherwise. Toyota has my vote for customer loyalty, Unlike the pieces of garbage I bought from government motors and found on road dead.

 

[bkreigh]

Good for Toyota then? Im still not buy that crap. Ill stick with Ford.

 

[Chester Copperpot]

Toyotas are the best car on the road, Its the most dependable car I've ever owned. The only car I have never needed to make a repair on. Im sticking with them until I see otherwise. Toyota has my vote for customer loyalty, Unlike the pieces of garbage I bought from government motors and found on road dead.

I feel the same way about Honda. Its a shame we cant get some of the American car companies to perform in the same way.

Henry Ford Sr. where are you? Or more appropriately... where are the people like you?

 

[buffalokid777]

Good for Toyota then? Im still not buy that crap. Ill stick with Ford.

I paid a small fortune to keep my crap ford van on the road.

I still have yet to make a repair on my Toyota Sienna or Corrola

And the Corrola is approaching 200,000 Miles

Good luck with that happening with FORD (Found On Road Dead)

I would love to buy American, but NOT if it means I get ripped off to do so.

 

[bkreigh]

I paid a small fortune to keep my crap ford van on the road.

I still have yet to make a repair on my Toyota Sienna or Corrola

And the Corrola is approaching 200,000 Miles

Good luck with that happening with FORD (Found On Road Dead)

I would love to buy American, but NOT if it means I get ripped off to do so.

Congrats to you too?

I have no problems with my Ford and Mercury.

 

[buffalokid777]

I feel the same way about Honda. Its a shame we cant get some of the American car companies to perform in the same way.

Henry Ford Sr. where are you? Or more appropriately... where are the people like you?

Hondas are good cars too....one of my friends got 250,000 miles off a civic before they had to make a repair, is there anyone out there who could say the same about government motors or found on road dead? I truly doubt it.

 

[buffalokid777]

Congrats to you too?

I have no problems with my Ford and Mercury.

and are they under 5 years old? thats usually how long they don't have problems. After that, well thats a different story.

 

[bkreigh]

and are they under 5 years old? thats usually how long they don't have problems. After that, well thats a different story.

'79 Ranger '04 Mountaineer

How bout we try and head on collision test and see which vehicle will come out on top? Your rice burners or my Ranger

 

[buffalokid777]

'79 Ranger '04 Mountaineer

How bout we try and head on collision test and see which vehicle will come out on top? Your rice burners or my Ranger

Your 79 ranger is slightly before planned obselecence, your 04 mountaineer is slightly before they ended it. You are the exception rather than the rule. The mountaineeer will start falling apart soon.

When you see the repair bills pile up for the mountaineer, you will understand what I am talking about.

 

[SimpleName]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=anVdkcIs4K3g&refer=home


http://www2.canada.com/business/fp/ford+needs+deal+with+union+urgently/1462343/story.html?id=1461348

I did find this article from March that explains how Toyota was asking for a bailout in Japan of about $2 billion. The first article says the info isn't cited, but the second (from April) seems to sure up the idea. It appears as though they didn't receive a bailout, but a loan from a govt-financed bank. Still, if they were in the same situation, I'd imagine they'd lobby like crazy to receive bailouts along the lines of what our corrupt automakers have asked for and were given. Of course, Toyota isn't 61% owned by the government, but just thought I'd throw this in. And also, according to this article (http://www.manufacturing.net/Article-How-Does-The-US-Auto-Bailout-Compare-With-Others-031709.aspx?menuid=242) other countries around the world aren't holding back from loaning money either.

As for the "American car company", I would say Japanese manufacturers are producing much more with American parts. I remember a piece in Car & Driver or Motor Trend or one of those magazines that showed a Ford Mustang is made with less than half (i think it was quite a bit more, but to be conservative, at least half) the amount of American parts than a Honda Odyssey. Brand loyalty is worthless. None of them have your needs in mind, hence the bailouts and governemnt loans. Blah...my mood only gets worse.

 

[Icymudpuppy]

I've got 321,000 miles on my VW Jetta, and it runs on free fuel which I pick up every wednesday from a couple greasy spoons.

I've got 164,000 miles on my F-250 which also runs on free fuel.

Neither have had any major problems. Given their age, and the fact that they are running different fuel than they were designed for, I give them credit that I've only had to replace a few fuel related parts.

When Toyota sells a diesel in the US, I may be interested. Until then, you can have your oil company supporting vehicles.

 

[buffalokid777]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=anVdkcIs4K3g&refer=home


http://www2.canada.com/business/fp/ford+needs+deal+with+union+urgently/1462343/story.html?id=1461348

I did find this article from March that explains how Toyota was asking for a bailout in Japan of about $2 billion. The first article says the info isn't cited, but the second (from April) seems to sure up the idea. It appears as though they didn't receive a bailout, but a loan from a govt-financed bank. Still, if they were in the same situation, I'd imagine they'd lobby like crazy to receive bailouts along the lines of what our corrupt automakers have asked for and were given. Of course, Toyota isn't 61% owned by the government, but just thought I'd throw this in. And also, according to this article (http://www.manufacturing.net/Article-How-Does-The-US-Auto-Bailout-Compare-With-Others-031709.aspx?menuid=242) other countries around the world aren't holding back from loaning money either.

As for the "American car company", I would say Japanese manufacturers are producing much more with American parts. I remember a piece in Car & Driver or Motor Trend or one of those magazines that showed a Ford Mustang is made with less than half (i think it was quite a bit more, but to be conservative, at least half) the amount of American parts than a Honda Odyssey. Brand loyalty is worthless. None of them have your needs in mind, hence the bailouts and governemnt loans. Blah...my mood only gets worse.

Brand Loyalty is built upon customer experience.

If you buy a brand that causes you headaches will you be stupid enough to buy it again?

If you buy a brand that causes you no headaches, and performs above expectations, you will almost certainly buy it again.

Engineered Obsolesence was a stupid policy for American Automakers to enact for short term profits, made out of greed for CEO and management bonuses, at the expense of customer loyalty and that is why they are in the trouble they are.

 

[buffalokid777]

I've got 321,000 miles on my VW Jetta, and it runs on free fuel which I pick up every wednesday from a couple greasy spoons.

I've got 164,000 miles on my F-250 which also runs on free fuel.

Neither have had any major problems. Given their age, and the fact that they are running different fuel than they were designed for, I give them credit that I've only had to replace a few fuel related parts.

When Toyota sells a diesel in the US, I may be interested. Until then, you can have your oil company supporting vehicles.

I LOVE Bio Diesel and know several people in my local area who use it, and already get the peanut oil from the fryers of the local oriental restauraunts. But for most of us, especially in cold weather climates, and don't have access to old fryer grease, and must use gas. I think Toyotas are the best cars on the road.



I Think Toyotas rock.

They have my vote for customer loyalty from experience, until experience says otherwise.

 

[James ODonnell]

Toyota Will Soon Be The Only US Automaker

Aside from the fact that China is now the worlds largest auto market [link here]

http://www.examiner.com/x-2812-Road--Driver-Examiner~y2009m7d10-China-is-now-the-biggest-car-market-in-the-world-which-is-good-news-for-GM-and-Ford

GM has all the imagination of a 2 year old who has been given tinker toys to play with by the governemnt. Here is how they have been playing with your money.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Technology/wireStory?id=7274179

YouTube - GM and Segway Project PUMA

 

[acptulsa]

Your 79 ranger is slightly before planned obselecence, your 04 mountaineer is slightly before they ended it.

Obviously you've never seen the nylon-coated cam 'silent gears' they used to use on V-8 timing chains in the 1960s. Planned obsolescence is as old as the hills, and it ain't dead yet.

In fact, when it comes to body structure, the modern regulations on everything under the sun pretty much demands a light unibody that goes only so far--like a jet's airframe--before metal fatigue rears its ugly head. Will there still be restored old cars and hot rods in the future? Probably, but it looks like it will be mainly engineers that build them...

 

[Dforkus]

Aside from the fact that China is now the worlds largest auto market [link here]

...
Yes it is, and GM is doing quite well there. The Chinese seem to be enamored with their Buicks..

GM has all the imagination of a 2 year old who has been given tinker toys to play with by the governemnt...

Actually imagination is a good thing. Doing things the way we've always done, just because its the way we've always done them is not...

Have you ever actually been to China?
That rolling thing-o-mo-bob, might be just the thing to get from hither and yon in urban centers where said Buick might not be practical...

 

[armstrong]

hmm,I want to see the crash test dummy results before I get one