Toyota

**dmclone** · 09-24-2008, 10:14 AM

Even if you are against buying foreign owned cars, this says a lot about Toyota.

Toyota takes to the parks

"As reported recently, even though Toyota halted Tundra production for a while, the company pledged not to lay off its workers. At a total cost of potentially $1 billion to the company, Toyota instead placed the employees in retraining and civic works programs during a Kaizen and Development Period."

**cmoneyr** · 09-24-2008, 10:19 AM

Buy American or GIT OUT!!

**djkent01** · 09-24-2008, 10:27 AM

When I was taking MBA courses - quite awhile ago - one of the things we studied was the Japanese economy/companies/workforce. One of the tenents of the large Japanese manufacturers was that they essentially provided "employment for life". Toyota, widely considered to be the premier manufacturing company in the world, was a leader in this thought process.

IMO - and my opinion only - that led to the culture of "worker bees" and is a big part of why these companies have been so successful. Liken it to the unionization of the U.S.. It is and will continue to catch up to them, especially as the Japanese culture continues to become more "westernized".

But the real test will be long term. Toyota did something American companies wouldn't dream of doing - the right thing for the employess not measured strictly based on the bottom line.

**keepngoal** · 09-24-2008, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by djkent01

When I was taking MBA courses - quite awhile ago - one of the things we studied was the Japanese economy/companies/workforce. One of the tenents of the large Japanese manufacturers was that they essentially provided "employment for life". Toyota, widely considered to be the premier manufacturing company in the world, was a leader in this thought process.

IMO - and my opinion only - that led to the culture of "worker bees" and is a big part of why these companies have been so successful. Liken it to the unionization of the U.S.. It is and will continue to catch up to them, especially as the Japanese culture continues to become more "westernized".

But the real test will be long term. Toyota did something American companies wouldn't dream of doing - the right thing for the employess not measured strictly based on the bottom line.

don't be fooled... the company has to make money, and their decisions are based on that... however what they did here is comendable.. but they are making it up somewhere else....

-keep

**Jeremy** · 09-24-2008, 10:32 AM

People can rail on foreign car companies all they want but the fact is that Toyota has been moving more and more production plants TO the US while the domestic companies have been sending all theirs to Mexico or overseas. I love Toyota's dependability, lead in gas efficiency compared to domestic vehicles and their relatively low prices for what you get - and will defend them until given reason not to.

**Palmer** · 09-24-2008, 10:34 AM

Have a Sequoia and a highlander....love them both!

**cytech** · 09-24-2008, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Jeremy

People can rail on foreign car companies all they want but the fact is that Toyota has been moving more and more production plants TO the US while the domestic companies have been sending all theirs to Mexico or overseas. I love Toyota's dependability, lead in gas efficiency compared to domestic vehicles and their relatively low prices for what you get - and will defend them until given reason not to.

Yeah it is true Toyota assembles more of their cars here than domestic makers anymore.

When I was looking for a truck 4 months ago I really liked the Tundra. But it didn't get as good of gas mileage as the Silverado and was more expensive, so I stuck with that.

**keepngoal** · 09-24-2008, 10:35 AM

changing oil on a Tundra is the easiest task I have ever known....

-keep.

**leg4cy** · 09-24-2008, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by Jeremy

People can rail on foreign car companies all they want but the fact is that Toyota has been moving more and more production plants TO the US while the domestic companies have been sending all theirs to Mexico or overseas. I love Toyota's dependability, lead in gas efficiency compared to domestic vehicles and their relatively low prices for what you get - and will defend them until given reason not to.

Ditto. I'm willing to bet that a Toyota bought here was made by Americans within the country. Those who are scared or reluctant to buy Toyotas because of the name are selling themselves short of very well-manufactured vehicles that are comfortable and dependable.

**brianhos** · 09-24-2008, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by Jeremy

People can rail on foreign car companies all they want but the fact is that Toyota has been moving more and more production plants TO the US while the domestic companies have been sending all theirs to Mexico or overseas. I love Toyota's dependability, lead in gas efficiency compared to domestic vehicles and their relatively low prices for what you get - and will defend them until given reason not to.

I have been so impressed by them, I actually am considering them for my next purchase. They seem to be going the opposite way of Honda.

**CyGal** · 09-24-2008, 10:39 AM

My Matrix was made in the US. A foreign company may own the business, but the car was made by people right here in this country.

**Jeremy** · 09-24-2008, 10:40 AM

A little story on why I love Toyota...

In 2006 we were looking for a new vehicle to commute from Huxley to WDM. When we started looking at Ford, GM, Dodge, etc the gas mileage was all in the 20-25 range, the prices we were looking at were all in the $20K range and the warranties were all 3yr/36K.

After we went to Toyota, we noticed you could get a brand new Matrix that gets 32mpg, had a 6yr/65K warranty and cost $20K. The even better part? It was made in the Toyota plant in California, USA.

So in the end, we passed up less dependable cars with lesser gas mileage and warranties for a car at the same price that was actually made in America.

**djkent01** · 09-24-2008, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by Jeremy

People can rail on foreign car companies all they want but the fact is that Toyota has been moving more and more production plants TO the US while the domestic companies have been sending all theirs to Mexico or overseas. I love Toyota's dependability, lead in gas efficiency compared to domestic vehicles and their relatively low prices for what you get - and will defend them until given reason not to.

Yep - the best thing you can do for a domestic car manufacturer is to purchase the best value you can get - from whatever country it comes from. Forces them to compete. When the Japanese automakers hit the scene, American manufacturers were strategically using "planned obsolescense" - meaning about the same time your car was paid off it was nothing but a pile of bolts and you needed to purchase a new car again. Like it or not, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan have been good for the US - US plants notwithstanding. Especially in a global economy.

When I bought my first "Datsun", I considered myself patriotic.

**cytech** · 09-24-2008, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by keepngoal

changing oil on a Tundra is the easiest task I have ever known....

-keep.

Let me know how it is changing the spark plugs when it comes time for that......

That is one of the reasons I didn't care much for the Tundra the cramped engine compartment. I also didn't care for the water based paints they use on them that make them so easy to scratch.

**Jeremy** · 09-24-2008, 10:42 AM

Another funny addition, Toyota of DM actually called us yesterday to say that they would love it if we would trade in the Matrix because they have about 20 people a day coming in looking to pay Hybrid type prices for the Matrix due to it's fuel efficiency and dependability. Supposedly they're giving about 25% above book value for trade-ins. I haven't called back to verify what the actual trade in value is.