What do you think? Toyota/GM alliance?

[drake3]

This made me a little nauseous when I first read it. I know Toyota and
GM have had joint ventures before (Corolla/Geo Metro - Matrix/Ponitac Vibe) but going any further kinda freaks me out a little. I guess I am too much of a Toyota guy in the blood to feel it would get tainted with whatever is bringing GM to its knees.

CNN article

 

[toto]

I can't picture Toyota doing anything to mess up their brand image or their manufacturing process. They're # 2 (and climbing) for a reason.

But on the other hand, GM sure could learn a lot from Toyota. If the alliance worked such that Toyota helped GM and GM copied a lot of Toyota's ideas, then you'd have something. Toyota is afraid of political backlash in this country when they become # 1, so doing something to improve GM would be well-received. But Toyota shouldn't be so afraid that they let GM remain # 1. Toyota needs to get a financial stake in GM so that if this does actually succeed in building GM's brands back up, Toyota deserves a cut.

 

[RunnerUp]

all we would need is a freaking GM badge on the sides of a 4runner for me to quit buying toyota...

 

[Mark86]

I don't think this alliance will hurt Toyota's reliability. There is no influence of GM in my Toyota so it does not bother me. Does anybody see a relationship between the Camry Solara and the new Pontiac G6 Coupe?

If you don't like that, I read somewhere that Toyota is helping Ford design the hybrid system in their vehicles.

 

[T4R4ME]

Interesting read. I work at NUMMI, the plant in California that is being briefly discussed in that article. We do make the Vibe and Corolla, however, we make the Tacoma, not Tundra as they stated.

GM and Toyota have a history that goes back almost 25 years. NUMMI was the first North American Toyota plant and there have been many added since. That is how Toyota learned how to produce vehicles in North America using the Toyota Production System. As well, GM learned all about TPS and lean manufacturing.

A larger alliance could definitely help GM survive as they strugle to stay afloat in light of their difficulties as well as Delphi's financial troubles. It could also help Toyota's marketing and in turn sales as they would not look so much like this big foreign bully coming to the US and putting US automakers out of business.

Only time will tell what happens in this everchanging US auto market.

 

[kinnakeettom]

hope it happens, going to make me a lot of money, when I dump all my GM stock.

 

[Sac State]

My '02' had a 'GM' airbox.

The blasphemy!

Isn't the current Tundra made in Indiana? I know future production will move to San Antonio.

GM is not necessarily a bad car company. Their styling is bland along with the rental car perception. That is what keeps me away.

 

[drake3]

GM is not necessarily a bad car company. Their styling is bland along with the rental car perception. That is what keeps me away.

GM may not be "bad" in a sense, but the problem is that thier product is not as good as Toyota. When we, ourselves, become a Toyota owner and experience the quality differences in a Toyota versus a GM product this is what hurts GM. And I am sure we have all seen it happen along with experiencing it for ourselves. We see neighbors or friends switch to Toyota from Detroit product (or others) after they decide to try a different brand based on experience or recommendation.

GM was the rental car company when my company used National rental exclusively. Then we switched to Hertz and now Ford is the company with the rental reputation.

Personally I like to rent Fords compared to GMs. Wish there was a third choice who used Toyota as thier rental fleet!

 

[charlier180]

GM and Toyota have a history that goes back almost 25 years.

If I am not mistaken Toyota buys some amount of parts from Delphi for use in their vehicles. A number of articles concerning Delphi indicated that a Delphi shutdown (bankruptcy or strike) would impact Toyota production in the USA.

Given Toyota' long history of calculated decision making, I have no doubt that any alliance with GM would be well thought out and would benefit Toyota in some way. Time will tell how the whole GM situation plays out.

 

[sharp4runr]

Eh, that's not such a big secret. Hell Toyota used to sell the Cavalier under the Toyota nameplate in Japan for a while: http://www.nskauto.ru/base/2333-0.jpg

I don't care who makes the 4Runner, I'll still buy it as long as it is the same quality.