Toyota on a new list...

[simple]

I hate domestics. They arent built to last but to rebuy once you are done with your loan.

I plan on keeping my runner for life. But I would seriously consider a ford these days. ford I think has really turned itself around.

 

[DocMT]

Im noticing that there is a running theme of people saying the parts cost too much and quality is too low. If the part quality goes any higher isnt the cost going to go up. I find it hard to believe that the people complaining would be willing to spend any more for parts than toyota is charging now. And nobody is really comparing the oem parts to all the aftermarket junk out there either. If they did theyd appreciate oem a whole lot more.

One thing that people never seen to realize is the reason why Toyota has been a leader in quality and reliability for so long. Some people point to design and engineering, and that's true. But the biggest reason is the parts that they use to build their vehicles. Think about that for a moment. Most vehicles these days are very well engineered, but problems with the vehicle arise when particular parts fail, like sensors for example. Toyota generally uses top quality sensors throughout the vehicle line-up. Bosch and Denso are big suppliers and manufacturer top quality stuff. It is these parts (and sensors) that really give Toyota an edge when it comes to their reputation for quality/reliability.

Example: If you think about the big gas pedal issues, there were two suppliers that Toyota used. One of them was Denso (which is what they used in our 4Runners) and the other was a company called CTS, based right here in the USA. The Denso pedals have no issues because they were made with a much better design. It's only the CTS pedals that were a problem. I think Toyota dropped the ball when they allowed the inferior CTS design to be used in their vehicles.

 

[Thai]

I think Toyota dropped the ball when they allowed the inferior CTS design to be used in their vehicles.

But, this is probably because Toyota wanted a bigger profit margin and thus went to cheap manufacturers or put such a tight constraint on R&D that these companies can't do adequate research or they can't make the high quality parts. This is the same route that Mercedes went around 1990s...they wanted bigger profits and thus put a strangle hold on their manufacturers or use cheaper options.

 

[DocMT]

But, this is probably because Toyota wanted a bigger profit margin and thus went to cheap manufacturers or put such a tight constraint on R&D that these companies can't do adequate research or they can't make the high quality parts. This is the same route that Mercedes went around 1990s...they wanted bigger profits and thus put a strangle hold on their manufacturers or use cheaper options.

Well, whatever the reason they had no choice but to deal with the end result of the CTS gas pedal fiasco. If Toyota shifts its focus back to reliability and is willing to sacrifice some of that profit margin, then I think they'll climb back to greatness once again. Sometimes cutting costs helps short term, but ends up hurting you in the long term.

 

[DaveS]

In order to get tax breaks and govt grants auto manufacturers not only have to site their plant in North America but source a certain percentage of parts here. That is a big part of the problem Toyota is facing and why I would buy another made in Japan 4Runner.