How Toyota Could Become the U.S. Sales Champ

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GM is already beginning to bounce back thanks to the Impala being the #1 large car and offering more gas mileage than any other non hybrid car on most of their models. With Buick selling high in China and beginning to sell more in the U.S there will be further rises in sales. Ford also seems to be relatively stable; they did not go bankrupt and are slowly gaining momentum due to the beautiful taurus and fusion. Toyota has actually been facing a crisis and most Japanese people are becoming upset with the fact that most Toyota automobiles are being made in plants in China now. Honda, however, and Volkswagen seem to be pretty stable through the crisis. I also fear for Chrysler...

Jay Maserejian of MA 9:07PM April 19, 2010

I have been a GM fan since I could drive a car and have had many General Motors products. However, things have changed, and if GM wants to stay in business they will have to change their ways greatly.
Since the inception of GM in 1908, and controlled by W. Durant for only a couple of years, GM and it's employees have been shown how to unethically run business. This was evident by America's largest proxy-war to regain control of power by W. Durant after he lost his control in 1910.
However, with poor quality, reliability and "just ugly cars", the CEO and the like, need to fired. However, prior to this American icon being disolved, perhaps cut the unions benefits and pay and give each a percent share as owner of the company. This would lessen their overall costs, complaining for better benefits and heighten the quality issues. If the company then fails the employees would have no one other than them selves to blame.
Poor management, the UAW sucking the life out of a company and increased supply costs make for the death of the American icon.
One of the other replys state that they have not been in an American car companies showroom for 10 years; neither have I. This is due to the quality and cost issues that only the UAW member can afford.
Do your self a favor...if you are interested in an American made car, travel to a rental car company and rent that car for a day. I have done this and have fould why GM car sales are so poor. It saved me from making a $35,000 mistake.

Mr. Jeff of AL 4:57PM May 30, 2009

The U.S. Auto Industry
Last year General Motors had a larger percentage of the auto and truck sales in the United States than either Toyota or Honda. Ford had a greater percentage of the market man Honda. It does seem like they should be able to to make a profit. Toyota and Honda have advantage as the healthcare and retirement that Ford and GM have to pay their union workers is paid for by the Socialist Japanese government. Maybe he universal health care is as important as a bailout money.
I hear that the American car companies only make large gas hogs that no one wants and that they're unreliable. Their ads however tell me that they are just as reliable as Japanese cars and there are plenty of high mileage models. There are over a million auto industry workers in the U.S. They have families to support and of coarse I do want to pay their unemployment benefits with my taxes. Recently I purchased a new Honda. Later I realized that I had not been in a American car agency in 10 years I think if I had to do over again I would give GM and Ford a chance.

Fred MacDaonald of CO 9:52PM March 30, 2009

I quite agree that GM is fast loosing its market share to fast growing foreign competitors like Toyota and other Asian automobile firms. A lot of reason that has earlier been mentioned are a contributive factor. But on the other hand, I will disagree with the fact that GM has taken its parts manufacturing plant to Mexico. We must realize at this junture that the whole essence of a business venture is to be able to cover its production cost, and at the same time make profits. Comparing the cost of labor in Mexico and the United States, is like the north and south pole of the hemisphere. The cost of labor in the United States is far higher, and will definitely have a huge impact on the sale price of the product. Also with globalization, it doen't really matter where the parts are made from, but GM should be able to produce affordable and most importantly a reliable and eco-friendly vehicles that can stand the test of time, and still worth its value in the near future.

Akeem of NY 8:24PM March 23, 2009

People realize that U.S.cars are not reliable like Toyota cars.
Toyota builds a better quality car for the long haul.

walt of KY 5:48AM February 06, 2009

toyota is now the greatest company in car manufacturing in world
and in the next 10 years japanes cars will be the best cars in world

ausama 12:41PM December 30, 2008

GM has been on top for a Very Long Time, however they can no longer be competitive in our current market. Toyota has taking the Camry to the number one selling car in America for numerous years and guess what, most of GM's parts and manufacturing plants are produced in Mexico!! This is supposed to be America's top car manufacturer and they are paying Mexicans to build their vehicles. The facts are simple, the New Toyota Tundra with almost 400 horsepower is 180% cleaner than the New Malibu Hybrid!! Toyota has continued to produce vehicles that last 2 and 300,000 miles and are still worth a couple grand at the end. This is an event we have all seen coming and should not be a surprise to anyone. I have always been proud to say that I sell this wonderful product and guess what, MY PAYCHECK KEEPS GETTING BIGGER!! We all will be better off when we just embrace this brand as our new Automotive Giant and purchase a vehicle that will not only last a very long time but wont cost a fortune every 5,000 miles in the Service Department.

Car Guy of IN 11:47PM October 28, 2008

I bought it in 2002. It is paid off. Never been to a shop other than break ,oil and tire changes. Only 72000 miles on it. Still years to go. I can save 10% on my 401K because I don't have car payment. Who said TOYOTA is "bad" ?

James Gerrard of GA 6:22PM July 01, 2008

I don't care if BMW or Audi or MB are the biggest in sales, I like their cars. They make the best cars in the world. GM was never able to produce such nice cars. Although, Germans kept their sedan segment as the major and did not concentrate on SUV market. Or at least concentrated not more than Japanese did, Germans are feeling big pressure from Toyota and Honda.
last 8 years GM was doing whatever possible to meet market demands. And it was the right thing to do. Sooner or later retirement will come to Toyota too. Maybe 20 years from now?
I drive an Accord and now driving is more pleasant. I can better see the road ahead. There are less Big-..S-UV's on the streets. And less cars in general.
Actually I respect motorcyclists more that earlier.
Probably true patriots are switching from GM's to Harleys

Zhora of TX 6:18PM July 01, 2008

I recently purchased a 2008 Civic EX sedan. I also stopped by the GM and Ford dealers to compare. I had poor experiences with GM vehicles in the past (1990's) but thought I'd give GM and Ford the benefit of the doubt. All one needs to do is drive the Civic, the Focus and the Cobalt. It's no wonder the Civic is a hot seller. Yes, the Civic is more expensive, but the projected higher resale value and better reliability make it cheaper to own in the long run. No car is perfect, but the odds are in the consumer's favor that you'll get a more reliable car from Honda or Toyota than the not-so-Big Three. The American automakers are way too shortsighted; there wouldn't be any legacy cost issues (pension, insurance) if they built cars that people wanted to buy. In my neighborhood in Orange County, CA, there are NO American cars in the driveways/garages; I don't wonder why anymore.

Brian in CA of CA 3:41PM July 01, 2008