So, Tell me. Where does the sales go from all the Toyotas sold in the US? Hey, We're paying wages to manufacture them but what really hurts is that the US NEVER gets a dime of the sales. I'm an Officer, 18 Years, Soon to be Major.
Toyota just opened an new Tundra plant right here in San Antonio, TX. A big boost to our local economy and labor force.
Who in the US never gets a dime from it? Toyota has factories and development centers in the US. They hire tons of engineers, managers, mechanics, salespeople, customer service reps, etc. They are a conglomerate of 20 companies paying taxes on US soil. Sure, the shareholders are Japanese, and the CEO is Japanese, but Toyota is paying taxes and creating jobs on our soil just like GM or Ford. There might be a few instances where Toyota gets a tax break to make a factory somewhere to boost a localized economy, much like Alabama did to attract the Hyundai, BMW and Mercedes Benz factories, but what the local government loses in revenue is gained by the employment of the local work force that ultimately pumps their wages back into the economy and into "the US" as you put it. I have bought American cars in the past and can say they are crap. I was let down by Chrysler, Ford and GM. Best cars I ever owned were a Volkswagen and a Mercedes Benz. Now I'm on the market for a Toyota because I believe Toyota is the best out there. If American car manufacturers turn around and produce something worth buying then they will get my money. Until then I'll put my money where I think it' s best. E6 with 10 years here.
So, The ultimate plan is for Ford, GM, And Dodge to go out of business because of some issues? I guess thats what everybody here likes to see. Although, Like I've posted before Toyota's quality aint that good either. Problems with the nwe Tundra's and ect....But, Nobody on a Toyota forum likes to hear it.
If they go out of business it is their and their shareholders problems. I will not be responsible for corporate and management poor decisions at those manufacturers. I'm not buying a car to provide charity for the corporation. As I said before, if they make a car worth buying they will get my money. If I was in the business for a sports car I would definitely look at the Corvette, I think it is a great car and a great value for what it is intended for. The Hummer is a great off road vehicle, I'd look at it too if I was buying something for four wheeling, but I'm not. I am looking for something with great reliability, great gas mileage, under 30k. The Prius fits this better than OJ's gloves fit his hand. So the Prius it is that I am buying. If the Prius had a Ford badge and were as good a car as it is with a Toyota badge I wouldn't blink twice about buying it.
Funny thing is I bought a Prius because it's my choice and I can afford it. Maybe I shop with different priorities? Maybe my nation is a global one.
Patsparks, I am shopping with the same priorities here, the Prius is my choice and I can afford it. I think it's a great car. It's just that some people in our country still believe you must buy American no matter what, even if it's crap...
I have seen the evidence, same thing happens here too. I was like that too before I grew up Renato. I was just pointing out that the "I can afford it, it's my choice" can be thrown back at the "I'll drive a 11mpg truck to and from work if I want, I can afford it, it's my choice" people. It isn't like the Prius is a budget price car you get because you're on the bones of your arse and can't afford a bigger car.
Sigh... always just covering your ears and only hearing what you want to hear... Toyota's reliability record is still excellent. Despite their recent slip, per ConsumerReports.org - Reliability trends "Despite Toyota's problems, the automaker still ranks third overall in reliability, behind only Honda and Subaru, with 11 models in the best list. Honda has six with a smaller model lineup" Some other choice quotes from that page: "Reliability remains a forte for most Japanese brands. Twenty-three of the 33 models in our “most reliable†list are from Japanese automakers. Moreover, we’ve predicted average reliability or better for all Honda and Subaru models based on our most recent survey ... Only three domestic models made the Most reliable list: the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and the two-wheel-drive Ford F-150 with the V6 engine. U.S. makes, however, account for almost half the models—25 of 44—on the Least reliable list. There are 13 from GM, 6 from Chrysler, and 1 from Ford." Notice where Toyota and Lexus rank at Toyota slips and Ford gains in reliability rankings - USATODAY.com Notice how many Toyotas and Lexuses are in the most reliable column and how few are in the least reliable column? Compare that w/the domestics.
None of that matters because to him because the CEO is Japanese (like it really makes a difference) and the dealerships aren't covered with the Stars and Stripes...
Err, this "aint" ... as you'd say ... a Tundra forum, generally, in case you hadn't noticed. And GM won't go out of business ... worst case scenerio, is GM management / board will continue to drive them to the brink of bankruptcy, but Toyota will buy 'em out and start running it right. You see, a company's failures are not what we'd "like to see" ... rather it's called "consequences" ... without consequences, there can be no business model.
