Toyota Says It Has To Support Detroit's Future

A senior Toyota Motor Corp. executive told The Detroit News today that the failure of one of Detroit's Big Three automakers would be devastating for his company.

"We want everyone to succeed," said Steve St. Angelo, head of Toyota's Kentucky assembly plant and senior vice president in charge of engineering and manufacturing for North America. "Competition is good for us. The customers are the big winners, because it makes all of us better."

He added that Toyota depends on many of the same companies that provide parts to General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC.

"We share many of the same suppliers, so if one of our suppliers has difficulty with either Chrysler, GM or Ford, there's a good chance they are going to have difficulty for us," he said.

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Maverick2020 - 8/12/2008 2:41:44 PM

+7 Boost

From a strategic standpoint, Toyota wants to devastate, but not kill its Big 3 competitors.

It knows that there would be a huge political backlash for Toyota if GM, Ford or Chrysler went out of business.

WorldofLuxury - 8/12/2008 10:21:52 PM

+1 Boost

yep...and imagine the domestics coming out with awesome revolutionary models. Toyota would have to make even better cars to compete with them...and then the domestics have to fight back with EVEN better cars.

It's been like that for the last 5 years, and just look at the improvement of the cars we have these days. The pace has slowed down, and that's why I don't want the domestics to die away...if they do...Toyota can relax and not give us full efforts on their products.

With that said...for those who were confused about me complaining about Toyota but still being a fan of Lexus, I hope you guys now understand. I know Lexus can be better, but Toyota have slacked off a bit. If no one criticizes them...Lexus won't get any better. And as a result, neither will their competitors.

0to60 - 8/12/2008 3:23:33 PM

+1 Boost

compared to who?

91z4me - 8/12/2008 7:16:17 PM

-2 Boost

0to60,
Toyota of the early 90s.

0to60 - 8/12/2008 3:24:34 PM

+2 Boost

I would think their future would have to look bright right now for them to make that kind of statement. They need to focus on them right now and help themselves to end up like the big 3.

BigShow50 - 8/12/2008 3:28:48 PM

+2 Boost

Here we go again with cptamazing4's "tits on a boar" comments. Guys remember cptamazing4 maybe a 80 year haggared, but still has the mind of a 5 year old...LMAO!!! "BAAAHHhhhh says cptamazing4"....BAAAAHhhhhhh!!! LMAO!!!...it's time for you to get yourself a new scooter buddy!!!...LMAO!!!! "BAAAAhhhh says cptamazing4....BAAAhhhhh!!!".....LMAO!!!

PlanB - 8/12/2008 3:56:44 PM

+2 Boost

The competition alone makes them all better. So yes, I'd say they need each other very much.

sector - 8/12/2008 4:44:19 PM

+1 Boost

What kind words from Toyota :)

DW1968 - 8/17/2008 11:52:08 AM

+1 Boost

Agreed.

Cocky, too, considering their current products and performance.

Lemonade - 8/13/2008 12:28:38 PM

+2 Boost

And you should be EL34's tool.. Oh Wait! you already are!