Will there be a backlash against Toyota?

[Mtneer001]

With Toyota doing so well in the American market, will there be a backlash against Toyota?

Eventually, there has to come a point where Americans will get upset that a foreign company is dominating the US market. Especially with Ford and GM having financial troubles.

People will say its bad to buy Toyotas because they are foreign owned. Yet most of them are built and constructed in the US.

Thoughts?

 

[alpha]

Ahh, the age old debate. It's going to be the import vs. domestic debate.

But in my opinion, people are going to buy what they want to buy. They do their research, they make their money, they decide where to spend it.

If people have an opinion on where people should spend their money, let them. But its an opinion.

The way I see it, if people want to spend money on an import, let them. If people want to spend money on a domestic, let them.

Granted, there are US plants, and these foreign owned companies are providing jobs to the people of the US. So, the concept of money not supporting the US economy, in my opinion, is not well supported. They provide jobs here, the taxes support the US economy. Sales tax during the purchase of a vehicle supports the US.

Will there be a backlash, maybe. But I doubt it. Especially with recent talks of the possibility of Toyota and Ford merging, granted I doubt it would happen.

Toyota is doing well, they have great products with great quality control. People are smart, they realize this. If they feel that their money is better spent on a Toyota, then its their money.

But for the debate of import vs. domestic, its an age old debate that always leads to the same place, no resolution.

I know, I know, the post was kindof scattered and long. Sorry.

 

[007Runner]

If the American people want to be angry and blame somebody then it should be Ford and GM for producing inferior products with very poor customer service. Toyota is not responsible for their failures. Both GM and Ford employ a union work force that demands a very high wage. While I have nothing against the unions, if your going to be paid the high wage at least do your job correctly. The American workers at these union plants are not paid in relation to their skill levels. They are paid high wages because they are union members. An inferior product being put together by incompetent workers is the reason for this mess. My final and last American car was a 1998 Chevy blazer. I tried to get it fixed, the dealers were incompetent, GM customer service was no help.
Through binding arbitration GM had to purchase the vehicle back from me. This is not how a company that wants and needs repeat customers to grow and survive should treat people. GM pushed me to Toyota products, at least that job was well done.

 

[jrs2]

When corporations such as GM and Ford start showing some concern for their customers, employees, and the country they're headquartered in, them maybe I'll show some for them.

I'm not going to waste $20-40K buying a shoddy product just to help out some poor multi-millionare executives who, due to short sightiness and greed, are running their companies into the ground.

Plus I've read that Toyotas have more domestic made parts in them nowadays than Fords and GMs, so maybe you actually help more working Americans by buying Toyota. That seems more important than helping the fat cats get their multi-million $ bonuses.

The sad fact is, American culture has decended into a greed driven, get yours and screw everybody else attitude, especially at the governent and corporate levels.

 

[jpalaska]

I do not think there will be a backlash against Toyota in the US, not as long as the "Big Three" US auto corporations build inferior vehicles to Toyota.
Alaska is a truck state, and a pretty strong Union state, and used to be full of GMCs, Fords, and Dodges. Now you see more Toyota trucks on the roads than any other brand.
Intelligent consumers want quality and reliability, and even the 'good ole boys' up here don't want a truck that's junk after 50,000 miles.

JP

 

[Bill42]

The recent GM "This is Our Country" themed commercials are clearly intended to incite an anti-foreign blowback against the Toyotas, Hondas, etc. of the world.

This is tried and true advertising. Unfortunately, as Ford is finding out with its out-dated "Quality is Job 1", hype and mud slinging will no longer keep market share over time if you don't deliver.

People now have access to more consumer information then ever before. Customers are more saavy and for the cost of a vehicle expect much more.

Toyota is all about meeting expectations. If you go to their web site right now what will you see? A Fifty Years in America blurb, Motor Trend Car of the Year Award and their recent slogan, "Moving Forward".

The Big Three are all about excuses; the unions and legacy costs, high cost of fuel, etc. Until these companies are willing to look at themselves and choose to be great they will continue to suffer.

Additionally, Toyota has plants throughout the US now and is more and more being considered an americanized company. Dare I say, "As American as Apple Pie".

I "Moved Forward" by selling my Ford Taurus and buying a Toyota 4Runner, I look forward to the day when I can replace my wife's Ford Expedition with a Toyota Land Cruiser. And oh yes, when my kids hit driving age you can bet that I'll look first at Toyota.

 

[toto]

I don't think there will be any sort of backlash. Toyota employs too many people in the U.S. now. Naturally, GM is trying to use the situation as a marketing tool - support their "last stand" as # 1 before Toyota takes over the world!!

Most cars made by the U.S. and Japanese car makers that are sold in the U.S. are made in North America. Not necessarily the U.S., mind you - all of them, including the "big 3", have plants in Canada and/or Mexico. Although many people still associate a brand name with a single country, it's really not like that anymore. For example, I'm sure there are a lot of guys driving Dodge Ram 1500's that don't realize they were made in Mexico!

 

[Uneek]

Backlash possibly from the ignorant who firmly believe that imports are ones that lead to the demise of the Big Three. Anyone with the slightest bit of common sense and knowledge will know many of Toyota's top selling vehicles are as American as apple pie. Also, Toyota is a good corporate citizen.

Sadly, there are only two domestics I'll ever consider. Corvette Z06 and the Avalanche--pretty neat concept and utility. Who knows maybe one day Toyota will offer it's own version of it. Corvette, if the Toyota FT-HS concept becomes reality, forget about it. German, I'll only consider an Audi RS4 and the Q7. I know, I know, they'll spend more time at the dealer with the tech than me behind the wheel. That's why I have Toyotas along with many others out there on the road. I'll only own those four if I have disposable income. But then I'll have a parking lot full of Toyotas and Lexuses first.

 

[xUSNavy]

b

If the American people want to be angry and blame somebody then it should be Ford and GM for producing inferior products with very poor customer service. Toyota is not responsible for their failures. Both GM and Ford employ a union work force that demands a very high wage. While I have nothing against the unions, if your going to be paid the high wage at least do your job correctly. The American workers at these union plants are not paid in relation to their skill levels. They are paid high wages because they are union members. An inferior product being put together by incompetent workers is the reason for this mess. My final and last American car was a 1998 Chevy blazer. I tried to get it fixed, the dealers were incompetent, GM customer service was no help.
Through binding arbitration GM had to purchase the vehicle back from me. This is not how a company that wants and needs repeat customers to grow and survive should treat people. GM pushed me to Toyota products, at least that job was well done.

Couldn't have said it any better myself.

Growing up my father owned a 84 Ford Escort and a 89 Buick Century. Both were total junk with constant problems (Buick was the worst). My father then bought a Tercel and a Corolla and both lasted close to 10 years with only a couple of minor problems: a broken door handle and paint fading off the hub caps. Because of the experience my father had with american cars, I tend to only buy Japanese imports ( 2 integras, 1 4runner). The only car that comes close to being domestic is our Honda Civic that was built here in the U.S. Other than that, all my other vehicles are strictly from Japan.

So as far as back lash, there might be a few from the die-hard domestic owners. However that should be a smalll crowd that will soon run dry.

Kia is a good example of an automaker that went from crap to quality in under two decades. Their vehicles are now becoming top notch competitors with Honda and Toyota. If the Koreans can do it, why cant Ford/Chevy/Dodge do the same?

 

[Uneek]

Kia is a good example of an automaker that went from crap to quality in under two decades. Their vehicles are now becoming top notch competitors with Honda and Toyota. If the Koreans can do it, why cant Ford/Chevy/Dodge do the same?

IMO, the culture, mentality and management. Analysts will probably say unions. But with GM's fall from #1, it should force a change. I welcome the competition, it'll only drive Toyota making even better cars and hopefully perfect cars.

 

[HiVel-JR]

Dr. W. E. Deming (quality control) gave them all a chance in the 1950's, U.S. companies would not listen to him. He gave them the finger and went to Japan. Does this mean its our own fault? I am not complaining or saying its anybodies fault. I sleep fine every night knowing I own two foreign cars.

so to answer the question, no I do not see a backlash, I see toyota taking over the vehicle industry and thier final victory will be when toyotas are sold at Wal-Marts all around the world!!!

 

[JungleJim]

I agree that there won't be a backlash.

I'm sure that the posts about poor experiences with the domestics are very valid. But some people have had good experiences also. Every model of a manufacturer is not going to be built with the same quality.

My father (very picky about cars) has had nothing but great experience with the last 4 Buick LeSabre's he's owned. He also owns a 95 Nissan Alitima that has been trouble-free. He purchases what he considers to be the best quality/value at the time for his particular needs. He doesn't care if it's foreign or domestic.

I own a 20 year old VW that I use for a go to work car. I just replaced the original clutch last week after 225,000 miles. It just continues to run. Would I pruchase a new VW? Hell no! The reliability of new VW's is just sad (I do love how they drive...)

I have heard and read about Toyota quality declining recently due to their great rate of growth. I sure hope they are able to address these issues on the models that are being affected.

Under their previous CEO, Honda tried to grow too quickly, which began affecting quality. Their new boss recognized this and is addressing it. Hopefully Honda's quality decline will be reversed.

Let's hope that Toyota doesn't get too large that it begins to act like GM. People purchase Toyotas for the quality and reliability....they can't forget that.

 

[alpha]

Every model of a manufacturer is not going to be built with the same quality.

That's the sad part. But there is less variation in quality in imports than there are in domestics. I think import companies just keep better quality control.

 

[wiseguy]

Yes, I think there will be some backlash. I disagree with most of the responses to this thread in that the backlashers will not be as logical as you assume they will be. The backlashers will be redneck, big domestic truck owners that are not informed enough to realize that many toyotas are made in the US, which is the most important aspect as the jobs are staying here in the US. They will not be intelligent enough to realize that the demise of the domestics is due to their crappy product. The backlash will likely come is subtle ways, i.e. keying vehicles, cutting off toyotas in traffic, etc.

 

[xUSNavy]

The backlash will likely come is subtle ways, i.e. keying vehicles, cutting off toyotas in traffic, etc.

We already have that. It's called California drivers.

 

[jacal]

Backlash? yes absolutely...the top of the heap always becomes a target, in every industry.

Good call on Demming - a real turning point in Japanese manufacturing.



J

 

[alpha]

The backlash will likely come is subtle ways, i.e. keying vehicles, cutting off toyotas in traffic, etc.

The sad part about that is that Toyota Corporate won't feel the effect. It's going to be the owner, and just because some ignorant person decided to destroy someone else's property.

And it won't just being Toyotas getting cutoff. It'll be all imports.

It'll just prove that ignorant people will continue to be ignorant.

 

[jrs2]

We already have that. It's called California drivers.

I don't think that's a backlash against Toyota, it's a backlash against civility and common sense.

 

[fotorunner]

There could be a backlash but I think a lot more people than you realize know exactly how well built Toyota

 

[atomic punk]

I think I'm a perfect example of why a backlash may not occur.
My girl and I originally bought two American-made/manufactured cars (that rhyme with SHEEP and FLOORED), partly because of national pride. Well, we became so fed up with all the repairs and major problems that I won't go back to either of those vehicle makes ever again. I bought a Toyota and she bought an Acura TL in 05 and (knock on faux wood dash) we haven't had any problems yet, so I'm recommending them to everyone I know, not pissing all over them.

But I would think that the stereotypical blue-collared American might have more vested interest in purchasing American made products than I do, and thus he would never make that jump to foreign made. He would put up with the junk that's being sold by Americans for Americans and not know what he's missing.

By the way, I'm sick and tired of hearing John Cougar Mellencamp's song "This is ourrrrr country" in those truck commercials they show ALL THE TIME during NFL games.