Toyota now #2 in U.S.

[HOZ]

#2
Toyota Motor Corp. overtook Ford Motor Co. to become the No. 2 auto maker by U.S. sales in 2007, using new products and relentless strategy to break Ford's 76-year lock on the position.

Not really surprising when you have a company that puts a Shelby Stang with suspension system that was created when they had black and white TVs versus a company that creates superior quality vehicles.

How long until they move to #1??

[getbak]

I thought they already were #1, but I guess that was worldwide.


I also saw today that Chrysler passed Ford in Canada and was #2 behind GM in 2007: http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=213245

[tussery]

No they weren't number one but they passed up Chevrolet last year some time. I wish the american car companies would take this as a lesson and would make something that lasted as long as a Toyota.

[Flameschick]

I hope Toyota goes ahead with bringing back the Supra...

At least GM has the new Camaro going for it. It looks awesome, at first blush vaguely Ford GT40 or Jaguar XKR-ish.

ht_p://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/naias_2006/0601_chevrolet_camaro_concept/photo_06.html

[Vulcan]

I've always preferred NA cars over foreign unless I can't fine the model type from a NA manufacturer. Reading magazines that rate cars and give some models high ratings seem to have little to do with what I've experienced and I almost think they have been bought off, but speaking out about it to the great brainwashed is a lost cause so long live Toyota.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by Flameschick

I hope Toyota goes ahead with bringing back the Supra...

I am not really a car person but I had the chance to ride in my uncle's 95 Supra GT in London in 2001 and I have never had so much fun in my life. Being newly 18 at that point and hanging out with my mother's brother while visiting overseas was a memory I will cherish.

P.S. Toyota rule! I want a Tacoma truck so bad! I could haul all my gear around while not killing the enviornment anywhere near as badly as a Ford or Chev. Although the Tacoma will be more expensive than the Fords or Chevs, I think it will be worth it. Most important thing to me in a good vehicle is fuel efficiency, reliability, and sound system!!!!

[TimSJ]

GM is actually building some nice cars these days the new Malibu is a really nice car as is the new CTS...

[ernie]

It's pretty funny. Ford increases their overall car reliability a great deal over the past 12-24 months, so much so that I believe they are now by far the most reliable North American brand and are poised to overtake some of the Japanese and European carmakers if the trend continues.

On the other hand you have Toyota who has had serious problems with a couple of vehicles of late (camry and Tundra in particular and I believe the new redesign of the Rav-4 made some problems pop up). So much so that Consumer Reports long standing recommendation of all Toyota modela has been rescinded.

Yet Ford plummets like a rock compared to most car companies and Toyota climbs the charts. now the truth is that while Toyota losing the across the board recommendation made news what didn't was that 17 Toyota models ranked most reliable.

I guess it's not surprising as I know all this stuff and I would still never buy a Ford! Of course I won't by Dodge or GM either.

BTW, of the 22 least reliable cars the past year I believe GM had 15 of them according to consumer reports.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I've always preferred NA cars over foreign unless I can't fine the model type from a NA manufacturer. Reading magazines that rate cars and give some models high ratings seem to have little to do with what I've experienced and I almost think they have been bought off, but speaking out about it to the great brainwashed is a lost cause so long live Toyota.

Drove a Ford for years, had nothing but problems. My father had one as well, same thing. My wife had a Chevy Malibu, again, nothing but problems. I drove a Toyota for 160,000km, only had to ever replace tires, change the oil, normal maintenance. Dad bought a Nissan. Same deal for him, he's still driving one. But it must have been my imagination as I'm "brainwashed".

[Table 5]

While I do think Ford's have been improving in aesthetics and reliability (mainly because they seem to just bring their Euro designs over to NA, which they should have done a long time ago IMO), it takes years to shake a bad reputation. The same goes for Toyota, who's living off their good reputation a little unfairly these days, but they have been so good for so long, mostly people don't really pay attention.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by ernie

It's pretty funny. Ford increases their overall car reliability a great deal over the past 12-24 months, so much so that I believe they are now by far the most reliable North American brand and are poised to overtake some of the Japanese and European carmakers if the trend continues.

On the other hand you have Toyota who has had serious problems with a couple of vehicles of late (camry and Tundra in particular and I believe the new redesign of the Rav-4 made some problems pop up). So much so that Consumer Reports long standing recommendation of all Toyota modela has been rescinded.

Yet Ford plummets like a rock compared to most car companies and Toyota climbs the charts. now the truth is that while Toyota losing the across the board recommendation made news what didn't was that 17 Toyota models ranked most reliable.

I guess it's not surprising as I know all this stuff and I would still never buy a Ford! Of course I won't by Dodge or GM either.

BTW, of the 22 least reliable cars the past year I believe GM had 15 of them according to consumer reports.

The problems Toyota was experiencing was with some of their V6 equipped vehicles. Consumer Reports only rescinded their recommendations on the V6 models and has maintained their recommendation of Toyota's 4 cylinder models.

[burn_this_city]

Would never buy one.. No offense but the styling of these imports only appeals to the blind.. They may have made a few cars look right 10 years ago. But that new Tundra is beyond hideous, and I don't think they could make the Toyota logos on the Camry any bigger and gaudier.. The new Supra is gross, may be fast but ugly to look at.. Plus the quality has taken a swan dive in the 6 cylinders ever since they stopped using Yamaha engines..

[Flamescupbound!]

Originally Posted by ernie

It's pretty funny. Ford increases their overall car reliability a great deal over the past 12-24 months, so much so that I believe they are now by far the most reliable North American brand and are poised to overtake some of the Japanese and European carmakers if the trend continues.

On the other hand you have Toyota who has had serious problems with a couple of vehicles of late (camry and Tundra in particular and I believe the new redesign of the Rav-4 made some problems pop up). So much so that Consumer Reports long standing recommendation of all Toyota modela has been rescinded.

Yet Ford plummets like a rock compared to most car companies and Toyota climbs the charts. now the truth is that while Toyota losing the across the board recommendation made news what didn't was that 17 Toyota models ranked most reliable.

I guess it's not surprising as I know all this stuff and I would still never buy a Ford! Of course I won't by Dodge or GM either.

BTW, of the 22 least reliable cars the past year I believe GM had 15 of them according to consumer reports.

I don't know about that. Out entire fleet is Ford trucks, and about half of them have had to be sent back because of the horrible "Death wobble". I almost bounced off the road a few times because of that. Little things are constantly going wrong with these truck as well, from the heaters, to the e-brake, to much more. These are new trucks dammit!

I always laughed at the saying Fix Or Repair Daily, but it's the truth!

[ZDogg]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Would never buy one.. No offense but the styling of these imports only appeals to the blind.. They may have made a few cars look right 10 years ago. But that new Tundra is beyond hideous, and I don't think they could make the Toyota logos on the Camry any bigger and gaudier.. The new Supra is gross, may be fast but ugly to look at.. Plus the quality has taken a swan dive in the 6 cylinders ever since they stopped using Yamaha engines..

Wow thats surprising. I get complimented on my 2006 Tacoma all the time. It has been a great vehicle for the first 60,000kms and I expect it to last until 600,000kms. The only issue was the price but I know Yodas retain resale value better than most.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Table 5

While I do think Ford's have been improving in aesthetics and reliability (mainly because they seem to just bring their Euro designs over to NA, which they should have done a long time ago IMO), it takes years to shake a bad reputation. The same goes for Toyota, who's living off their good reputation a little unfairly these days, but they have been so good for so long, mostly people don't really pay attention.

I'm of the same mind. The NA manufacturers have come up with some good vehicles (as Tim mentioned) but their poor history keeps many people from even considering them. Toyota, from what I read, has recently slid in the reliability ratings, but they have been good for so long that they still have a strong reputation.

The models/reliability from 5 or 10 years ago are not a good way to judge what to buy today.

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by ZDogg

Wow thats surprising. I get complimented on my 2006 Tacoma all the time. It has been a great vehicle for the first 60,000kms and I expect it to last until 600,000kms. The only issue was the price but I know Yodas retain resale value better than most.

The Tacoma isnt bad looking.. I just hate the bubble look on alot of the import trucks.. I thought the new Tundra looked good on the commercials until I saw it in person.. Also I find the interiors a little too femine for trucks, the shifter should be column mounted, not a pocket rocket glued to the console..

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

P.S. Toyota rule! I want a Tacoma truck so bad! I could haul all my gear around while not killing the enviornment anywhere near as badly as a Ford or Chev. Although the Tacoma will be more expensive than the Fords or Chevs, I think it will be worth it. Most important thing to me in a good vehicle is fuel efficiency, reliability, and sound system!!!!

Miles! Per! Gallon!

Chevy Colorado 6cyl 4X4 -- City: 20 Hwy: 29
Ford F150 V6 -- City:19 Hwy:27
Toyota Tacoma 6cyl 4X4 -- City: 20 Hwy:26

Just sayin'.

I'd buy a Toyota too.

[Flameschick]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

The Tacoma isnt bad looking.. I just hate the bubble look on alot of the import trucks.. I thought the new Tundra looked good on the commercials until I saw it in person.. Also I find the interiors a little too femine for trucks, the shifter should be column mounted, not a pocket rocket glued to the console..

The fake hood scoop on the Tacoma is kind of cheesy - at least I know the '06 and '07 models' hood scoops were fake. Not sure about the '08.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Flameschick

The fake hood scoop on the Tacoma is kind of cheesy - at least I know the '06 and '07 models' hood scoops were fake. Not sure about the '08.

I have an '04 Tacoma. I liked the older styling a bit more.

[Ironhorse]

Toyota may build good quality, but their problem is the plain vanilla styling. They haven't built a car with a "wow, I'd like to own that" factor since they stopped making the twin turbo Supra, which was more than a few years ago...