http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...ESS01/80423026

I for one am very interested to see how the public and media treat Toyota going forward now that they are the first new automaker in the last 8 decades to claim the top spot.

 

Well, we knew it was coming but it does suck. I hope they get the bullseye from now on. See how they like a bit of pressure. I do not think it will happen though. We will still how great they are.

 

I dunno, as I mentioned when I posted in that article, the #1 spot has been both a selling point and an albatross of sorts around GM's neck. It may take some time as Toyota gets "settled in" at the top, but I do think the scrutiny will be ratcheted up on everything they do now that they are the world's largest. It's just human nature to do so.

 

I agree that this is one point GM does not have to worry about anymore, however, Toyota has a great reputation and I do not see that faultering anytime soon. Even with all the bad stuff they have let happen in the past year or so, no one seems to care.

 

I don't care how you guys cut it.

Good for Toyota.
Bad for GM.

 

Why are we declaring winners now? There's still 3 more quarters to go.
We'll see how this plays out at the end of the year.

And if Toyota does hit #1. Good. I hope people can start realizing now that the limelight is on them, that they aren't some super-company. And this means less pressure on GM to stay no.1, but it's all but guaranteed they won't fall to third...ever. I think we can see these two companies dancing for the top spot in the coming years.

I may not like it, but this could be good for GM, even the top guys over there think it could be good...they said so when this came up in January.

Besides. I think it's more important to be putting out quality products, than to be putting out the most products. That is, after all, how Company 'T' started to rise to the top in the first place.

Oh, And what's this about fudging numbers??

 

They're going to find out that it's very lonely at the top. The spotlight is very bright, and any mistake or misstep is amplified.

 

who cares how many cars a company really sells? Ive never understood this metric. I think the company should rather be evaluated on the amount of money it makes per year dont you?

Everyone knows that GM and Ford have gotten out of the rental car biz so to speak, goto any airport, its alllllllll toyotas. No wonder they sell so many cars each year

 

http://www.rateitall.com/i-888173-co...uildercom.aspx

 

Well it's just the first quarter of the year and Toyota was in the same position last year at this time and GM pulled out another year. Fuzzy math and all.
Personally I don't care. I'd trade strong profits over sales leader anytime. GM is on the right track and it's just going to take some time. So "IF" they fall to #2 this year I hope they focus on a comeback and do it one new vehicle at a time.

 

Good on Toyota.

Will GM now concentrate on getting rid of too many brands without worrying about being second? I hope so. GM needs profits to survive not sheer numbers.

 

[QUOTE=soul strife;5330300]I agree that this is one point GM does not have to worry about anymore, however, Toyota has a great reputation and I do not see that faultering anytime soon. Even with all the bad stuff they have let happen in the past year or so, no one seems to care.[/QUOTE]

More like news companies will not report about it. Really any little glitch on a domestic car it gets 5 o clock news headlines..
Have you heard anything about the MAJOR faults that Toyota has had with problems with many of thier cars?? Noo??? Wonder why???

 

Not too concerned . For once in a long long time , GM doesnt need to grasp to that title to draw people in . I think Toyota is their "golden era" , GM had one a long time ago and I thier coming damn close to emerging on another .

 

with most the plants idled for over a month now i figured this would be the year.

 

Well put, and I tend to agree. Toyota is probably close to peaking. GM and maybe Ford are making a strong second coming. The one I'd be most worried about is Chrysler.

I don't like what they're coming out with at all. The new styling, especially in the Jeep and Dodge brands is terrible. Chrysler has never been known for stellar quality, so when they don't have styling either... the outlook is BADDDD!

Dan