Toyota struggling to meet small car and hybrid demand

While demand for fuel-efficient compact cars and hybrids is on a rapid rise, Toyota is struggling to meet demand due to shortages of popular models such as the Prius hybrid and the Corolla. Toyota’s car sales fell 9.4 percent in June. On the other hand, rival Honda reported a 13.8 percent gain in overall U.S. sales mainly due to a record demand of the Honda Fit and the Civic Sedan.

Toyota’s Prius, the top-selling hybrid in the U.S., fell 26 percent as dealers struggled to have the vehicle available in their inventory and customers faced a six-moth waiting list. Toyota hopes to satisfy that demand...
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carguy68 - 7/2/2008 5:41:09 PM

-1 Boost

What a bunch of fools waiting for the prius when there are other options out there.

Agent63 - 7/2/2008 11:49:18 PM

0 Boost

There are other alternatives such as diesel but the price for diesel isn't exactly cheap for those who want eco-friendly econo-cars.

I wonder how the Toyota "quality & reliability" is going to hold up with this demand. The hybrid demand should be handled by partner GM to further produce hybrids. That way Toyota themselves could concentrate on the Corolla.

F1_Driver - 7/3/2008 3:03:02 AM

+3 Boost

I wouldn't worry too much about Toyota's "quality and reliability". Despite producing more vehicles, Toyotas are relatively high quality and reliable compared to the competitions.

Agent63 - 7/3/2008 9:46:50 AM

-2 Boost

Anyone have the link to the reports regarding quality or reliability? I remember it was posted on Autospies awhile back.

truckmen - 7/2/2008 6:23:06 PM

+1 Boost

I can't wait until cars with performance and fuel economy of PML's mini cooper are available to us consumers. The prius needs to be better on gas with more power.

Agent63 - 7/2/2008 11:52:07 PM

-2 Boost

I would still get the TDI for the better build. I've seen Yaris and Corolla's and recently the Prius. Their not built too well. Sorry my standards are high.

F1_Driver - 7/3/2008 2:57:12 AM

+6 Boost

VW's build quality is higher than Toyota's? When did hell freeze over?

jasaero - 7/3/2008 5:58:57 AM

+1 Boost

There are different types of quality. He is talking grade and robustness of material and components used. VW does make a more robust vehicle than Toyota's small vehicles. VW doesn't necessarily put them together as well as Toyota though. But, small VW's just feel like more expensive cars than small toyotas which seem cheaply built.

kpaxx - 7/3/2008 1:10:54 PM

0 Boost

remember that is "perceived" quality. toyota quality is the same as the rest of the auto industry there is nothing to substantiate otherwise!

Agent63 - 7/3/2008 10:50:05 PM

+1 Boost

F1_Driver.

Have you seen the inside of a Prius? Have you? If not I wouldn't talk. VW's build quality actually is better. Have you actually believed ALL their products are "high quality"? please. Honda Civic Interiors are better than Corolla's. I'm not biased don't worry.

ChicaneShooter - 7/5/2008 1:47:32 AM

+1 Boost

Agent63--

you, like many others, are being FOOLED by mere SURFACE APPEARANCES. sure, vws and audis LOOK nice in the interior appointments.

that DOES NOT EQUAL build quality, nor mechanical robustness and reliability. toyota and vw/audi products are on the OPPOSITE ends of the scale. look at any CR or JDP reports on both initial and long term reliability. the superior quality of toyota parts and assembly are starkly revealed here.

most mfgrs' vehicles get to averaging 100 problems per 100 vehicles in about 5 years' time. vw/audi get there SOONER. toyotas later, MUCH later. like after 17 years!

i would never trade a 'nicer interior' for mechanical reliability. especially in the harsh clime of interior alaska. the vw dealership LEFT TOWN a few years ago. those unreliable vehicles simply do not hold up out here over the long term. (audi never even got a toehold. bmw dealers went extinct too. only MB still maintains a dealership here.)

(meanwhile, the toyota store has grown by leaps and bounds, gobbling up additional franchises and lots.)