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Toyota Mulling Incentives, 10 Year Warranty

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Old Feb 15, 2010 | 05:06 PM
  #1  
95redLT1's Avatar
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Toyota Mulling Incentives, 10 Year Warranty

Toyota, reeling from its largest recall in history, is discussing a range of options with its U.S. dealers to support sales, including $1,000 in addition to the current $1,000 in cash incentives to returning Toyota customers, the source told Reuters.

Toyota's current $1,000 in "loyalty" bonus matches incentives offered by General Motors Co GM.UL, Ford Motor Co (F.N), Chrysler and Hyundai Motor Co (005380.KS) to lure Toyota customers.

Other options Toyota is considering include a free maintenance program -- such as oil changes and regular mile services -- and a new warranty program that at least matches Hyundai's market-leading 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, the source said.

Toyota currently offers a five-year powertrain warranty, or 60,000 miles, according to its website. It also offers a three-year basic coverage warranty for "all components other than normal wear and maintenance items."

The source declined to be identified because the plan has not been made public and has yet to be finalized.

Toyota spokeswoman Celeste Migliore said the company reviews many options to remain competitive for each month, but declined to comment on details.

Don Esmond, senior vice president of Toyota Motor Sales, told Reuters in an interview on Saturday that Toyota will consider "competitive incentives" to attract consumers and take steps to reinforce the brand.

Toyota's U.S. sales dropped 16 percent in January to the lowest level in more than a decade, after it suspended sales of top-selling vehicles subject to safety recalls, including the Camry and Corolla sedans.

AutoNation (AN.N) CEO Mike Jackson said on Saturday that by April, Toyota's sales would return to near-normal levels. Jackson said that for the full year, Toyota's U.S. market share will drop 1 percentage point, from 17 percent in 2009.

AutoNation handles about 3 percent of Toyota's U.S. sales and is the biggest dealer group in the country. About 20 percent of its overall sales are Toyota vehicles.

Esmond said Toyota met with its dealer advertising committee this past week to come up with ideas to bring in more customers.

"We're going to need something to reinforce the brand. I think we'll look at anything and everything," he told Reuters. "We are going to provide the appropriate incentives."

The automaker will also pay for the inventory financing costs its dealers have suffered during the suspension of sales, Esmond said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61D1H120100214
Old Feb 16, 2010 | 10:47 AM
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The age of Toyota arrogance is now officially over.

Welcome to the world of having to lure customers like everyone else instead of relying solely on image .
Old Feb 16, 2010 | 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by guionM
The age of Toyota arrogance is now officially over.

Welcome to the world of having to lure customers like everyone else instead of relying solely on image .
I hope you are right, but the average person's memory is painfully short. It's easy to return to old comfortable habits and beliefs.
Old Feb 16, 2010 | 04:38 PM
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Derek M's Avatar
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What's the use of a warranty unless the company admits the problem with a car. Does Unable to duplicate problem, normal operation found mean anything to anyone. It's not a warranty issue, it's integrity.
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