Toyota / Lexus Tidbits

[DockMan]

Toyota to liquidate its stake in Fremont's NUMMI plant

FREMONT — Toyota Motor Corp. has decided it
will dissolve its stake in the NUMMI auto factory it
operated here with General Motors Corp., leaving
union officials at the plant dismayed and
disappointed.
The Japanese car maker will begin negotiations next
week about the liquidation of the venture and the
timing of a shutdown of the New United Motor
Manufacturing Inc. factory in Fremont, according to
at least three published reports.
"People are worried about their jobs," said Sergio
Santos , president of United Auto Workers Local
2244, which represents UAW members at NUMMI.
"Nobody can afford to lose their job fight now."
About 4,700 people work at the NUMMI plant. GM
and Toyota resurrected the plant after GM had
permanently closed it in 1982.
"I'm very disappointed," said Matt Wales, a office
staffer for the UAW in Fremont. "We are still hopeful.
But it looks like me and 4,500 other people are
going have to look for a job."
The NUMMI venture began production in December
1984 when a Chevrolet Nova rolled off the
assembly line.
"There is a likelihood we would not buy the rest of
it," said Yoshimi Inaba, recently appointed CEO of
Toyota Motors North America, said Thursday in
Michigan. "I don't want to use the word liquidate,
but we are looking at the viability of NUMMI, so we
may have to make a painful decision."
Toyota spokesman Mike Goss would not confirm
that Toyota has decided to exit the venture. Goss
said Toyota will begin negotiations with GM about
the plant. Toyota is conducting an "extensive review"
of its production needs, Goss said.
NUMMI makes the Pontiac Vibe station wagon,
Toyota Corolla compact car, and Tacoma pickup
truck.
Prospects for NUMMI darkened in recent weeks,
starting in mid-June when GM first said it would
cease making the Pontiac brand. GM subsequently
announced, as part of the conclusion of GM's
bankruptcy filing, that it was pulling out of the
NUMMI joint venture.
That prompted Toyota to reveal that it was
considering pulling out of the joint venture as well.
Like other auto makers, Toyota has suffered a nosedive
in its North American vehicle sales. The retail
plunge has forced Toyota into an exhaustive review
of all of its manufacturing options in the United
States market.

http://www.mercurynews.com/drive/ci_12899645?nclick_check=1

[mar1990]

I wonder if that means they will import Canadian built Corollas into the US?

[rrocket]

^^I would think so.

[DockMan]

I wonder if that means they will import Canadian built Corollas into the US?

 

[Stuff]

Toyota recalls 3.8 million vehicles

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33077383/ns/business-autos/

[TopGun]

Toyota chief admits company is in rough shape, "grasping for salvation"

According to Automotive News, Toyoda says his company is "grasping for salvation," which is stage four of five outlined in Collins' book, with Toyota having already experienced Stage One, "Hubris Born of Success;" Stage Two, "Undisciplined Pursuit of More;" and Stage Three, "Denial of risk and peril." What's Stage Five? "Capitulation to Irrelevance or Death." Yikers.

We think Toyota is a long way from Stage Five, but with everything from a recent massive recall to currency fluctuations and eroding quality perceptions among the masses – to say nothing of mounting competition from Korean, American and European automakers – Toyoda appears to understand that his company has a lot to address in both the near- and long-term, and he's using unsubtle language in his early days in office to make sure the rest of the company knows it, too.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/02/report-toyota-chief-admits-company-is-in-rough-shape-grasping/

[Patate]

I wonder if that means they will import Canadian built Corollas into the US?

They better not.. the Canadian dollar is worth a lot lately. 

[Leviathan]

NHTSA investigates 218,000 Toyota Tundras over corrosion

By Andrew Ganz

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into a pair of corrosion-related safety issues on 2000 and 2001 Toyota Tundra pickups. According to the government agency, it has “received 20 reports on the subject vehicles that relate to spare tire separation and brake system failures as a result of severe frame corrosion.”

According to NHTSA, 15 of those 20 reports blame an underbody-mounted spare tire that became “separated from the rear crossmember” as a result of rust, as well as five brake lines that broke on the “rear crossmember at upper shock mount” on the driver’s side.

The preview photo, taken from TundraSolutions.com, shows rear frame rust on a Tundra from the Northeastern U.S.

It’s the second time in recent memory that Toyota pickups have come under fire for their apparent susceptibility to rust. Last April, Toyota offered to buy back - at excellent book value – any 1995-2000 Tacoma pickup that had rusted beyond reasonable repair.

Toyota recently recalled nearly 4 million vehicles over floor mats that could become lodged in against the gas pedal of some of its most popular models

[Cord]

Toyota solves floor mat problem.....WITH ZIP TIES!!

http://jalopnik.com/5377355/your-new-lexus-floor-mats-will-look-like-crap/gallery/?skyline=true&s=i

Good Lord. Can you imagine the editorial carnage if this was a fix for a Focus or a Caliber? Lexus owners must be giddy with delight.

[vdk]

Toyota solves floor mat problem.....WITH ZIP TIES!!

http://jalopnik.com/5377355/your-new-lexus-floor-mats-will-look-like-crap/gallery/?skyline=true&s=i

Good Lord. Can you imagine the editorial carnage if this was a fix for a Focus or a Caliber? Lexus owners must be giddy with delight.

Fail 

[Juke1]

Yes I can just imagine the stories if it was a Malibu, Avenger, Fusion.  Already have a thread going http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,64345.0.html

Now combine this with the rusty Tundras, the possible obstruction of justice case, the declaration of Mr. Toyoda.....it's been a shitty week for Toyota.  Arrogance has a price

[Patate]

Yes I can just imagine the stories if it was a Malibu, Avenger, Fusion.  Already have a thread going http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,64345.0.html

Now combine this with the rusty Tundras, the possible obstruction of justice case, the declaration of Mr. Toyoda.....it's been a shitty week for Toyota.  Arrogance has a price

Couldn't happen on a malibu that's for sure.  I checked just for fun and there's a good inch of distance between the floor mat and the lower position possible for the pedal.  Can't really blame Toyota for this kind of thing.. stuff like this happens frequently on all automakers.  The Tundra thing though.. ugh.  The Tundra is a mess.  Past AND current generation Tundras have more than their share of problems.  If there's a segment that the Big 3 dominates, both in term of shares and quality (also price), its their pickups.  The Tundra is a joke.  Toyota was out of their mind when they thought they could get a better truck than GM or Ford.. who am I kidding, even them knew they wouldn't even come close.

Their products are inferior to most of their competitors.  the only thing that explains Toyota's "flat" marketshare (even there, they are losing share but it's not that bad) is their reputation.  It's up to the press to actually do their job, and give it 10 years at most and Toyota will be in deep trouble.. hell they already are 

[rrocket]

Yes I can just imagine the stories if it was a Malibu, Avenger, Fusion.  Already have a thread going http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,64345.0.html

Now combine this with the rusty Tundras, the possible obstruction of justice case, the declaration of Mr. Toyoda.....it's been a shitty week for Toyota.  Arrogance has a price

Couldn't happen on a malibu that's for sure.  I checked just for fun and there's a good inch of distance between the floor mat and the lower position possible for the pedal.  Can't really blame Toyota for this kind of thing.. stuff like this happens frequently on all automakers.  The Tundra thing though.. ugh.  The Tundra is a mess.  Past AND current generation Tundras have more than their share of problems.  If there's a segment that the Big 3 dominates, both in term of shares and quality (also price), its their pickups.  The Tundra is a joke.  Toyota was out of their mind when they thought they could get a better truck than GM or Ford.. who am I kidding, even them knew they wouldn't even come close.

Their products are inferior to most of their competitors.  the only thing that explains Toyota's "flat" marketshare (even there, they are losing share but it's not that bad) is their reputation.  It's up to the press to actually do their job, and give it 10 years at most and Toyota will be in deep trouble.. hell they already are 

You're right...it would never happen on a Ford or a Chevy...since they'd never do a recall just for floor mats....IO mean..GM couldn't do a recall for faulty intake gaskets, so why would they for a floor mat?   

[Juke1]

...and how did Toyota handle the sludge issue...oh ya forgot...all the customer's fault.

[johngenx]

...and how did Toyota handle the sludge issue...oh ya forgot...all the customer's fault.

As did all makers that extended service intervals.  Mercedes had to be sued as well.  At least Toyota Canada bucked up and covered Canadian customers after they lost the lawsuit in the US.  MB Canada said "too bad you don't live in the States, sucker."

EVERY manufacturer has a long list of "not our fault" problems, and face facts, the Big Three are the WORST offenders by a mile.  Failing transmissions, head gaskets, intake gaskets, peeling paint and on and on.

[Juke1]

...and how did Toyota handle the sludge issue...oh ya forgot...all the customer's fault.

As did all makers that extended service intervals.  Mercedes had to be sued as well.  At least Toyota Canada bucked up and covered Canadian customers after they lost the lawsuit in the US.  MB Canada said "too bad you don't live in the States, sucker."

EVERY manufacturer has a long list of "not our fault" problems, and face facts, the Big Three are the WORST offenders by a mile.  Failing transmissions, head gaskets, intake gaskets, peeling paint and on and on.

Not denying the NA automakers problems, but nice to see a poster not denying the Toyota issues as well.   It will be interesting to watch the 4Runner file.

[Leviathan]

Toyota solves floor mat problem.....WITH ZIP TIES!!

http://jalopnik.com/5377355/your-new-lexus-floor-mats-will-look-like-crap/gallery/?skyline=true&s=i

Good Lord. Can you imagine the editorial carnage if this was a fix for a Focus or a Caliber? Lexus owners must be giddy with delight.

articsteve should be along any minute to eviscerate GMToyota for their slap-dash fix. Oh, right. At least they didn't use duct tape....

[hoss]

The Tundra is a mess

I wonder what you base this on?
 
Have you actually driven all 4 of the full sized pick ups?  (I have)

Have you actually owned any of these trucks?  ( I have owned 3 of the 4)

Have you done any research re: these trucks.  Most reviewers give the Tundra a good review or at worse middle of the pack.  Consumers Reports has it as average for reliability (a major let down for Toyota) but all the full size trucks are average or lower.

I own a 2007 Tundra.  It is the base work truck.  When I bought it, I did extensive research, and drove everything.  The Tundra was miles ahead in terms of standard safety equipment, engines, and transmissions.  The Chev. looked much better but was a very poor design (standard cab) as it had no room behind the seats. The Ford was under powered, but really nice inside.

My point being they all have faults.  The Tundra seem to have the fewest.  I have owned pick ups, probably longer then you have been born, and this is my first Toyota anything. (so I'm hardly a "fan boy").  It just makes me angry when people make blankets statements about things they know nothing about.

As regards to recalls, try Googling "Ford Flame Throwers" or Ford spark plug Issues" or the always fun Chev. exploding gas tanks etc.  They ALL have problems, just some less then others.

[johngenx]

The Tundra is a mess

It just makes me angry when people make blankets statements about things they know nothing about.

Welcome to the internet, hoss.  And no, the person that made that statement does not own a Tundra and has no real experience with the product.  Troll, nothing more.

[Roddy]

Yes I can just imagine the stories if it was a Malibu, Avenger, Fusion.  Already have a thread going http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,64345.0.html

Now combine this with the rusty Tundras, the possible obstruction of justice case, the declaration of Mr. Toyoda.....it's been a shitty week for Toyota.  Arrogance has a price

Couldn't happen on a malibu that's for sure.  I checked just for fun and there's a good inch of distance between the floor mat and the lower position possible for the pedal.  Can't really blame Toyota for this kind of thing.. stuff like this happens frequently on all automakers.  The Tundra thing though.. ugh.  The Tundra is a mess.  Past AND current generation Tundras have more than their share of problems.  If there's a segment that the Big 3 dominates, both in term of shares and quality (also price), its their pickups.  The Tundra is a joke.  Toyota was out of their mind when they thought they could get a better truck than GM or Ford.. who am I kidding, even them knew they wouldn't even come close.

Their products are inferior to most of their competitors.  the only thing that explains Toyota's "flat" marketshare (even there, they are losing share but it's not that bad) is their reputation.  It's up to the press to actually do their job, and give it 10 years at most and Toyota will be in deep trouble.. hell they already are 

Toyota has had its problems lately but over all they are still the leaders in reliability. GM on the other hand by and large have products that are at best average - the only possible exceptions to this are the malibu and the GMT900 pickups.