Posted on 11/19/2005 11:45:53 AM PST by indianrightwinger
Toyota Maps Plan To Displace GM As Top Car Maker
Challenger Revamps Models, Boosts U.S. Manufacturing As Detroit Faces Struggles
By JATHON SAPSFORD in Tokyo and NORIHIKO SHIROUZU and JOSEPH B. WHITE in Detroit
Staff Reporters of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL November 19, 2005; Page A1
Toyota Motor Corp. is making a big bet that it can ride a host of new models past struggling General Motors Corp. next year to become the world's biggest maker of cars.
Late next month, when the Japanese auto maker unveils its 2006 targets, it could set the ambitious goal of producing as many as 9.2 million cars, say people familiar with the plan. That would be an 11% leap from the 8.28 million cars Toyota expects to make in its current fiscal year, which ends in March.
[SNIP]
[SNIP] Its plans include a redesigned version of the Camry, America's best-selling car; a spruced-up version of its RAV4 SUV; a new mid-size sport-utility vehicle called the FJ Cruiser; and a small car, the Yaris, aimed at energy-conscious drivers. Toyota also will launch more models under its Lexus premium nameplate.
Still, the prospect of a photo finish in the race for No. 1 auto maker underscores the profound shift of power occurring in a business increasingly marked by global competition. With the Big Three U.S. auto makers struggling under the burden of heavy labor and health-care costs, the industry is migrating away from the unionized U.S. operations that served as a model for decades and toward lower-cost, mostly nonunion factories -- many in North America -- run by Asian and European manufacturers.
Just yesterday, Ford's new head of North America, Mark Fields, warned staffers that the company plans to cut 4,000 salaried jobs in North America next year, or 10% of the total.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
GM's largest market transaction is not production and sale of automobiles. It is providing a conduit for the paid pensions and medical care for retired GM employees.
The cost of medical insurance for every one of these retirees, and currently working employees, of GM, is one of the major costs rolled into the price of every GM automobile. Look it up. The profit per vehicle is far less than GM's burden for providing retirement and medical care as negotiated through the unions.
Toyota can't buy up control of GM until this issue is resolved.
That's why I won't buy Mitsubishi or any other automaker that provided the Axis their war machines.
APf
I own three Japanese cars. Highest quality and good life for a great price. Can't hurt that these car manufacturers are moving jobs into the US to build these cars.
Unions are killing the Big Three, not the Japenese imperialists.
That is a legitimate sentiment. Although, the reason I don't go near Mitsubhisi is my lack of trust in their quality.
Maybe all the ex-employees can get new jobs at car washes....
I remember them both and my Nissan runs like a charm....
The best way? By building a better car. Toyota has been making a more reliable auto for a long time.
Sometimes in order to rebuild, you must first destroy. I want to see the Big 3 automakers go completely under and maybe some real American companies will rise from the ashes. In the meantime, I'm happy with my Nissan - which is made in Tennessee with non-union AMERICAN workers.
Exactly. And when a union member complains, it is important to understand whether he/she knows where his/her union dues go. I bet they have no idea. If I am paying for something, I know exactly where my money goes to, if I don't know, or don't agree with it going there, then I don't pay it.
This is all self-inflicted..
They paid their dues at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The war's over, and Toyota builds better cars. If the American unions and big three can't correct their problems, then by-by.
Yes - you are dead on. Read my next post #12.
"That's why I won't buy Mitsubishi or any other automaker that provided the Axis their war machines. "
Honestly what does that have to do with today? The war ended 60 years ago. There probably isn't a single employee on a Toyota assembly line who was old enough to fight in that war. None of the execs at the company would have been older than children. Honda wasn't even founded until after the war. What about avoiding a Jag because of the American revolution?
My 1996 Nissan Pathfinder has only needed 1 new battery and 4 new tires... and it still looks and runs like new! My Patriotism does not include buying an overpriced piece of crap... no matter where it is made.
interesting, especially with 'indian' in your name. I would say before you buy an America car, remember the genocide of the American indian.
60 years is a long time to hold a grudge.
I assume you are also in favor of paying reparations the US blacks. That was only 140 years ago.
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