Toyota Exec: Our Cars Are Good, But Not Exciting

Isn't the first step to recovery admitting your problem?

— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 7/22/2009 9:58:56 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 9   

Ummm I think this article belongs on www.noshitsherlock.com Toyota is an appliance manufacturer not an automotive manufacturer. Stick to what you know bland cars that the droves of sheep gobble up like they are hotcakes. Isn't this why they came out with Scion? They are perfecting most people's life cycles.

Scion 16 - 30
Toyota 30 - 50
Lexus 50 - death (probably from boring automotive syndrome)

— rigid (View Profile)

Posted on 7/22/2009 10:00:18 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Well, at least they are aware of the problem.

— PlanB (View Profile)

Posted on 7/22/2009 10:33:33 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

What is Toyota's most exciting car at the moment? Is it the Matrix/Pontiac G3? lol

— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 7/22/2009 10:42:43 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

VW could use a make over just as well as Toyota!

— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 7/22/2009 11:30:53 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

"Ummm I think this article belongs on www.noshitsherlock.com"- rigid


Classic response. It made me laugh out loud this morning, thanks rigid.

— inspirion7 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/22/2009 11:18:36 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

The Routan is not classy.

— 7msynthetic (View Profile)

Posted on 7/22/2009 1:06:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I think only FJ Cruiser is exiting in current Toyota line-up. To inject some excitement i think Toyota should make VW GTI(refreshed Auris with new engine maybe) and Passat CC competitors. Also quickly bring the rumoured Toyota-Subaru Sports coupe...etc

JUGNU

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 7/22/2009 3:24:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

We needed a Toyota executive to make that proclamation? I don't think so. Anyone who has ever driven a Toyota would be able to say the same thing: "basically good cars, but definitely not exciting."

— 204E60 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/22/2009 6:21:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

The problem isn't excitement, its that Toyota didn't cut back on manufacturing when the economy hit the skids. Their saving grace was having an extra $20B in cash to cover their losses. Otherwise, they'd be in nearly the same boat as GM.

— thstone (View Profile)

Posted on 7/22/2009 6:24:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

No argument there, but I do believe they're making a comeback. When the LF-A hits the streets that will be the trump statement they've changed hands and are returning to their glory days. Mr. Akio Toyoda has already begun changes in his great grandfather's legacy which is his destiny...to carry on the phenomenal greatness of the worlds top automaker.

— lexworld (View Profile)

Posted on 7/22/2009 6:32:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I like this guy, Yoshimi Inaba. He has admitted that Toyota is boring and he has basically declared that she must return to first principles. All I want to hear from him now is that Toyota is leaving NASCAR. The guy who got them there in the first place needs to be dragged out into the street and shot. Bullshit series events that helped none of the companies competing in it.

— tango (View Profile)

Posted on 7/22/2009 8:35:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Toyota leave NASCAR! I dont think so. Those RWD Camrys are awesome! I think they will do very well against the competition and eventually win top honors. They've just been in for about 3yrs give'em time because with that Toyota engine, a highly competitive driver and a highly focused team, they'll start kicking some serious butt. Anyway back to the article. I doubt this article is trust-worthy. Inspirion7 is a known hater. Why else would you concock an article like this. Besides you'd get fired if you were a Toyota Exce. and said "our product is good but it's boring. What a wart!

— lexworld (View Profile)

Posted on 7/22/2009 11:49:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

A Toyota exec admitting that Toyotas are not exciting is like a MacDonalds exec saying their food makes poeple weighty or a Marlbaro exec saying that smoking can cause cancer. Everybody knows it, it is actually a fact.

But, what wonders me, if they change direction, is it really good? I mean, a hell of a lot of people have been buying their cars, with the current layout. And that being said, maybe they don´t even care for excitment, it is other things that they admire on a Toyota? Decisions like this one need a lot of attention and research.

What do you win, when the numbers of people you win over with "exciting" cars is smaller, than the numbers of people you loose because of that?

Rather tink about your portfolio. Get rid of some trucks and bring some cars over to the US that you already sell in other countries.

Just my 0,02 $$

— agent507 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/23/2009 4:16:52 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3