Toyota Isn't Strutting As It Dons The No. 1 Sales Crown

It's long been thought that the goal of Toyota Motor Corp. is nothing less than domination of the global auto industry. So when the news came out that Toyota had outsold General Motors Corp. in the first quarter, the bragging was … nonexistent.

Bringing home the sales crown didn't seem to be an occasion for joy at the Japanese automaker's headquarters in Toyota City, about 200 miles southwest of Tokyo, nor at its U.S. sales headquarters in Torrance.

The reason champagne corks weren't popping is simple, said former Toyota advisor Matthew May. The automaker has refrained from cheering because it is "aiming at an even higher goal."

The only No. 1 ranking Toyota really covets, he said, "is the one that cuts across the board in every conceivable category. Hitting a sales target is all well and good, but the issue Toyota managers are addressing at this moment is: at what cost?"


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SupraNeverBack - 5/7/2007 3:24:05 PM

0 Boost

By 2015, Toyota hybrid vehicle market share will drop to 60% of 2 million hybrids in US.

enthusiastx11 - 5/7/2007 9:13:55 PM

-3 Boost

a bmw to toyota comparison is irrelevant.
bmw's volume is in cars over $40k.
toyota's volume is in cars under $25k.

you've got such a vendatta against german makers that your comments become irrelevant.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/7/2007 9:50:33 PM

-2 Boost

Wow, huu, a little desperate, are we?

Your dream is just that, a dream. I said it in the Audi article- BMW, Merc, Audi, none of them have had hits in terms of "prestige." Maybe in your little world, but to everyone else in NA, the cars are admired and aspired to. You can never give in, can you?

r_driver04 - 5/8/2007 5:45:21 PM

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BMWs volume car is the 3 series(325). Most of which aren't costing OVER 40K.

enthusiastx11 - 5/8/2007 8:36:42 PM

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r driver:

you're mistaken. even a base 328i sedan with a few options like leather, power seats, etc is over $40k. just because you can find a few cars for under that doesn't mean the average is WAY over 40.

enthusiastx11 - 5/7/2007 9:12:01 PM

-2 Boost

as the world's largest automaker for many years, GM always took the heat from politicians, economists, environmentalists, etc for whatever havoc the auto industry caused in the world.

toyota knows this. they're well aware that number 1 means they have a bullseye on them. they want to minimize it. THAT"S why they're not touting it.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/7/2007 9:51:14 PM

+3 Boost

Agree. If there weren't idiots like huu76 just being themselves, I'd be cheering for Toyota.

enthusiastx11 - 5/7/2007 11:21:34 PM

+1 Boost

again, toyota's VOLUME is in under $25k cars.

550,000 camrys...most base and LE models.
hundreds of thousands of corollas, yaris, scions, tacomas, matrix, etc.
almost all for under $25k.

toyota to gm makes sense. toyota to bmw comparison are apples to oranges.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/7/2007 11:21:38 PM

-1 Boost

What are you even talking about? Lexus is a value brand-- so many Lexus fans have said that themselves. Let's take a look-see: the IS is less-expensive than the 3 Series and C-Class, though slightly more than the A4 (A4 3.2 is almost the exact same price as IS350); GS430 is less-expensive than A6 4.2, 550i, and E550, while GS350 is less than E350; LS is less money than all three of the German sedans. SC430 is significantly less than 6 Series and SL. GX470 is less than Q7 4.2, X5 4.8i, ML500 and GL450; LX470 is less than Range Rover, while the GL450 can easily eclipse its $69K price with common options. From the cars I named, RX doesn't have many competitors left- but it's less than ML350, Q7 3.6, X5 3.0si, Porsche Cayenne V6...

S4cabriofoxone - 5/7/2007 11:24:29 PM

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One more thing- in the mid-sized class, I compared the GS350 to the '07 A6 3.2 and the '07 525i. For one thing, the GS350's true competitor from BMW is the current 530i, which is more money. Secondly, for '08, the A6 and 5 Series will both recieve various updates- the A6 being standard with the S-Line kit, among others, and the 5 Series getting a big refresh, becoming the 528i and 535i. Predictably, prices will go up. Don't be surprised if the "lowly" 528i surpasses the GS350's base price, as well as the A6 3.2 Multitronic.

w209w114 - 5/8/2007 3:10:47 PM

+1 Boost

Huu,

Let me tell you I have been keeping up with reading the comments left by people on this website for over a year now and never really decided to register BUT I couldnt contain myself and HAD register to leave you a comment.

I cant help but wonder whether Toyota has recently cut some corners here and there in recent years to increase their volumes and topple GM. Just look at the latest recalls? You can ignore the facts but it just seems like Toyota is on the path to becoming more like GM.
Being No. 1 doesnt make you the best.
It makes you cookie cutter part sharing cars marketed for the masses How can this be prestigious? Last time I checked prestige had a little something to do with exclusivity. As far as your comparison with BMW, I laugh. U can keep your new camry, we'll see just how reliable new toyotas prove.

Thanks for the motivation! :)

alfistiDK - 5/8/2007 3:35:26 AM

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Why is that ? The beemer 1 series still has a lot better driving dynamics and handling than a Camry will ever see with FWD, why is that POS ? I personnaly dont like the styling of it, but your comparisons are wierd.

enthusiastx11 - 5/8/2007 8:38:34 PM

+1 Boost

lol. you're such a schmuck.

alfistiDK - 6/14/2007 2:08:08 PM

+1 Boost

huu76
1 series customer won't have the slightest clue about driving. Except for the M1, the rest of the lineup will just be overpriced, underperforming and far from luxurious (typical bimmer)

Haha yeh right....you know, camry users are well known for their interest in driving dynamics arent they ? haha ...dream on kid

w209w114 - 5/15/2007 12:59:11 AM

+1 Boost

u can thank Huu for that