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Toyota Decides They Want Their Reputation Back
During Bob Carter's first year as general manager of Toyota Division, the brand was enjoying hot hybrid sales and making inroads in the full-size-pickup category with the all-new Tundra. But the brand's quality reputation took a hit last fall when Consumer Reports announced it would no longer automatically recommend new Toyotas as "most reliable" without testing them.

While the automaker takes pains to point out that its Toyota, Lexus and Scion models collectively lead the industry with the most models on the magazine's list, it will be up to Mr. Carter to hammer home the reliability claim.

He seems well-suited to the task. Mr. Carter has been at Toyota Motor Sales USA since 1981, after serving as part owner and general manager of Hyannis Toyota in Hyannis, Mass. His stints at the automaker include a number of key posts, including regional general manager, VP-sales for the Toyota Division, and VP-sales and dealer development for Lexus.

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Toyota Decides They Want Their Reputation Back



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07G35J07G35J - 2/21/2008 4:57:58 PM
+11 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Consumer Reports may have slightly tarnished Toyota's reputation with that comment, but, being Toyota, it won't be difficult for them to wipe that stain off and keep being one of the most reliable brands in the world (if not the #1).

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Homer008Homer008 - 2/21/2008 8:06:48 PM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
they are #1 and it seems to me that the reputation has been #1 since the 80's if not earlier. I cannot believe this article...I mean they never really lost it IMO.


rockerrocker - 2/22/2008 9:51:41 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
God knows your opinion matters.


lexusis350lexusis350 - 2/21/2008 5:05:30 PM
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Good for Toyota. I always thought it was rude for Toyota to turn their back on the only reason they are #1, their reliability.

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enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 2/21/2008 6:33:55 PM
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nice press release.

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85bmw745i85bmw745i - 2/21/2008 7:46:36 PMView My AgentSpace
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At least they arenn't taking over 20 years like GM. At least they are taking action now. Thats the kind of dedications American manufacturers needed decades ago. Although this type of effort will go un-noticed by most American buyers as most of us are un-informed and go by what friends say rather than get educated about cars.

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sailnflsailnfl - 2/21/2008 8:13:26 PM
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you arenn't knnowwing 0

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speedmasterspeedmaster - 2/21/2008 8:16:39 PMView My AgentSpace
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They need to get Jim Press back from Cerebus.

He was instrumental in the success of Toyota and the launch of Lexus.

It was a great loss to see the Toyota North American president and the only American of the Toyota board defect to Chrysler.

Jim Press's departure was a significant blow to Toyota. He timed it just right after they launched the new Tundra.





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tattedtwicetattedtwice - 2/21/2008 11:20:18 PM
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Too little too late. This is what happens when you pump out new models every two weeks in a desperate bid to grow. Just ask nissan.

Watching them slide has been a treat, and I look forward to more of it.

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silver1silver1 - 2/25/2008 11:48:46 AM
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Why are you so Jeolous of Toyota/lexus articles....I've been reading your comments and you always have some negative to say... Why would you love to see Toyota go down? Toyota going down makes you happy? Is it because their the richest automaker in the world? World's best selling car? U.S. Best selling car? U.S. best selling Luxury Brand?

What is it? Why do you hate Toyota so much, what have they done to you that you would love to see them go down?


kpaxxkpaxx - 2/22/2008 9:05:45 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost

toyota does not understand they are a new animal. Their old quality principles no longer work on the scale to which they manufacture cars.

I think GM is now the leader in producing large volumes of cars which are High Quality.

P.S. I know this statement will be hard for many people to understand and I am not trying to flame. deboost me if you wish.

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PlanBPlanB - 2/22/2008 9:40:22 AM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I agree with you. But thats only because GM's top spot has been taken, depending on who you ask, and they had to painfully go through some major changes. Now, they're turning out better products and listening more to their customers. I think Toyota is in this situation now only because they've never been in it before and didn't quite know what they were getting into. But given their track record they should bounce back.


r_driver04r_driver04 - 2/22/2008 10:42:11 AM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Toyota just needs to get back in the saddle and got to work. They have rested on their sparkling history long enough, it's time to get back to work. They've made extremely reliable cars/trucks in the past and now it's time to upgrade their quality control processes to accomodate their increased product line. Toyota's not in danger of losing their #1 spot if they act now.

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damikcodamikco - 2/22/2008 11:22:39 AMView My AgentSpace
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Truth is Toyota today is no better then GM Its like the U.S versuse the world opinion ...when you are on top evrone wants to take shots at you hince our terroist problems. hoever im glad toyota is talking tough that will make all manufactoers better in the long run becuse of the race for all of them the produce high quality cars for the consumer.

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damikcodamikco - 2/22/2008 11:24:23 AMView My AgentSpace
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And for the record Gm is still the largest manufactorer of autombiles in the world and the US


85bmw745i85bmw745i - 2/22/2008 8:52:07 PMView My AgentSpace
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I wonder if the Toyota built pontiac vibe counts as a GM vehicle.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 2/23/2008 2:06:30 PMView My AgentSpace
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"GM lost the lead earlier this year. Toyota is the number one sales leader in the world for 2007:"

However, it looks like GM will win this year, because GM went up in January and Toyota went down.


damikcodamikco - 2/25/2008 2:30:13 PMView My AgentSpace
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or if the toyoat matrix is counted as a gm vehicle?


bigTYMEbigTYME - 2/22/2008 12:53:57 PMView My AgentSpace
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Thats good for Toyota, but they are seriously facing some tough competition right now. Most automakers these days have placed reliability and fuel efficiency at the top. Whereas before Toyotas and Hondas were considered the only reliable cars, now there is Nissans and even some of the newer Fords like the Fusion and Edge that are just as good if not better in reliability (ConsumerReports). The only thing Toyota had above all manufacturers is now being aquired by most manufacturers. As for the reliability of the domestic products, I really think Ford is gonna shine in a couple years, and GM right behind them, however Chrysler is still lost.

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carguy68carguy68 - 2/22/2008 1:17:43 PM
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this is great news...they finally opend their eyes.


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