I would live everyone to stop and think about Toyota cars not as examples of the automakers art, but of the businessman's art. Do not think of Toyota as a maker of dream cars, but of a dream investment.
Fact is, German cars appeal to the soul more so than most Japanese cars. But when it comes down to what most people will end up getting, then which company would you rather bank on?
At the end of the day, automakers are in business to make money...and sad to say that the car business is one which is now tough for many. Scary thing is that both Ford and GM lose money on making cars...and rely on financing them to make the bottom line black (or more likely a smaller red...)
I can go on like this. Toyota's ability to sell cars without incentives. It's reliability and quality that limits profit killing warranty claims. It's relentless cost reduction drives. And Toyotas markey capitalisation compared to the combined value of all its non-Japanese rivals...
Have a look at some of the below articles...
http://www.economist.com/displaystor...ory_id=3599000 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11221072/ http://car-reviews.automobile.com/ne...-toyotas/1775/ http://www.usatoday.com/money/compan...7-toyota_x.htm
Toyota can be criticized for bland designs. For following rather than leading (though with hybrids they have backed a winner). But the fact is they are now putting out cars with real power (a 2007 Toyota Camry can be had with over 270 hp - 10 years ago this number would have been undreamed of in a mass market mid size car) that buyers want to buy.
The Germans are also doing well. BMW has done fine with the new 3 and 5, MB has turned the corner with quality (touch wood) and Audi/VW is now doing better too. But in terms of financial performance, management strength and overall attractiveness to investors, none of these makers can really hold a candle to Toyota.
So, whilst we can admire German cars in many ways, I dare say that there is only one car company we can truly admire...
As the saying goes...
Oh What a Feeling!
