CD Article: 2008 Canadian Truck King Challenge

[safristi]

..Lou..that's because Men like a TRUCK ING CHALLENGE.............no matter ta ODDS

[articsteve]

So, you'r assuming that Ford actually did something to the Tundra to look bad on the test, that's the same that assuming they did nothing and that the Tundra actually behaves that way, in the end it's all suppositions. If they did something to the Tundra, why no to the GM, it looks good on the test. On the other hand, there are some videos on the internet made by a Toyota dealer where a Tundra pulls a Silverado, RAM and F-150 in a back to back test and one can easily note that the Tundra was in 4x4 mode while the others weren't.

If they did something to the Tundra, why no to the GM, it looks good on the test.

If we are talking about the bouncing bed test the clip I saw showed the Silverado, or was it a GMC  , almost coming apart as the fuel door popped open and it looked like the gas cap came off.     What did that test prove?

there are some videos on the internet made by a Toyota dealer where a Tundra pulls a Silverado, RAM and F-150 in a back to back test and one can easily note that the Tundra was in 4x4 mode while the others weren't.

Fortunately that was made by a dealer and not Toyota.      Personally, I thought that video was stupid.  I didn't see any smoke coming from the rear tires of the Chevy.  I think the Chevy had it's brakes applied, but not locked. It proved nothing other than Americans tend to engage in useless BS more than Canadians.   

[lou1919]

You should try reading some of the forums/blogs from the USA on the subject of pickups. BS by the pickup truck load (couldn't resist the pun). The japanese scrap ideology and USA #1 mentality makes trying to find any meaningful information on pickups a frustrating and almost useless exercise. Thats probably why Toyota built their new Tundra Truck plant in the heart of Texas. Don't they realize the Toyota Camry has been the number 1 selling car in the USA for several years.

[articsteve]

Thats probably why Toyota built their new Tundra Truck plant in the heart of Texas.   Don't they realize the Toyota Camry has been the number 1 selling car in the USA for several years.

When your in Kentucky and Indiana (where Camrys are assembled), particularly Kentucky where the main plant is, many consider Toyota, American, with some Japanese influence.    It's a done deal folks.  Toyota is every bit American apple pie as is GM and Ford.   

The Toyota plant in southern Kentucky has a very long and most excellent free tour of it's operation (reservations only).  Three small trains wind there way thru the guts of the place, welds and all.  One minute it's rock, next it's country or heavy metal music depends on what station you drive thru.  Nobody seems to mind. Lots of smiles and waves.  Should be; 3 cars given away to workers every month and cash awards, on site daycare & pharmacy.  NO UAW plants open to public and for good reason. 

[Greg B.]

When your in Kentucky and Indiana (where Camrys are assembled), particularly Kentucky where the main plant is, many consider Toyota, American, with some Japanese influence.    It's a done deal folks.  Toyota is every bit American apple pie as is GM and Ford.   

Don't be ridiculous. That's what Toyota WANTS you to think -- see "The United States of Toyota" by Peter DeLorenzo -- but the design is Japanese and all the profits go straight back to Japan as well. If a truck is sold in the US, it would eb better for the economy if it was a domestic truck.

NO UAW plants open to public and for good reason. 

About 10 years ago I toured GM's Lansing #1 assembly plant. I was in a group hosted by GM. Our guide was a UAW member. She did an excellent job of showing us around the place. My impression was they did tours fairly often. I saw nothing that GM or the UAW need to be ashamed of.

[airbalancer]

NO UAW plants open to public and for good reason.

Why do you say this.
I been in the Oshawa truck plant, it looks like a nice place to work 

[jcon]

NO UAW plants open to public and for good reason.

Why do you say this.
I been in the Oshawa truck plant, it looks like a nice place to work 

Oh sure until they began the after hours ritual sacrifices!

[articsteve]

When your in Kentucky and Indiana (where Camrys are assembled), particularly Kentucky where the main plant is, many consider Toyota, American, with some Japanese influence.    It's a done deal folks.  Toyota is every bit American apple pie as is GM and Ford.   

Don't be ridiculous. That's what Toyota WANTS you to think -- see "The United States of Toyota" by Peter DeLorenzo -- but the design is Japanese and all the profits go straight back to Japan as well. If a truck is sold in the US, it would eb better for the economy if it was a domestic truck.

NO UAW plants open to public and for good reason. 

About 10 years ago I toured GM's Lansing #1 assembly plant. I was in a group hosted by GM. Our guide was a UAW member. She did an excellent job of showing us around the place. My impression was they did tours fairly often. I saw nothing that GM or the UAW need to be ashamed of.

If a truck is sold in the US, it would eb better for the economy if it was a domestic truck.

    

Whose part is it?-Measuring domestic content of vehicles
Chicago Fed Letter,  Oct 2007  by Klier, Thomas H,  Rubenstein, James M

In such a context, the distinction between "American" and "foreign" vehicles has become blurred (see figure 1). The press has noted that some models produced by the American-owned Detroit Three carmakers have lower domestic content than vehicles produced in the U.S. by foreign-owned carmakers, such as Honda and Toyota. For example, in model year 2006, the Ford Mustang had 65% domestic content and the Chevrolet Suburban 67%-both less than the Honda Accord at 70% and the Toyota Camry at 80%.3

As for the new Tundra.  The truck is stamped and assembled in the US, the motors and trannies are US built including the parts.  Probably the computers are Japanese which is a good thing.   

About 10 years ago I toured GM's Lansing #1 assembly plant. I was in a group hosted by GM. Our guide was a UAW member. She did an excellent job of showing us around the place. My impression was they did tours fairly often. I saw nothing that GM or the UAW need to be ashamed of.

Greg, it was a controlled enviroment not open to the public.  Plant is probably closed by now anyways. 

[articsteve]

I been in the Oshawa truck plant, it looks like a nice place to work 

It looks nice, doesn't mean it is nice.  Try screwing the same piece together for 8 hours a day, 6 days a week.  It does something to ppl.    In GM plants workers are required to do unnecessary labour which puts great stress on their bodies.  In the Camry plant and similar Toyotas plants the hood and doors are removed after the paint shop.  The windshields, front and back go in after the car is made.  At GM when a worker installs a headliner, sunroof controls, etc., they climb inside the car and squat down and reach above their heads.  It's hard on the back, neck, etc..  In the Toyota plant a worker lies down on a thin lazy boy and a computer control extenda lift slides them thru the front and back.  Same with the sides.  Many ppl in Toyota plants are physically supported when working.  Every 2 hours the switch jobs.  No seniority in Toyota plants = better assembly. 

 NO UAW plants open to public and for good reason.

Why do you say this


Because when they open it to the general public they can't control the cat calling and obscene language as CAW or UAW workers cannot be fired for something like that.

There are no "open to the general public daily tours" in any domestic union plant.  Figure it out why not    Can't be bad for marketing or can it?  

[lou1919]

Toyota, Ford, GMC, Dodge (Formerly daimlerchrysler) etc. are multi-national companies traded on the stock market. Ford owns shares in Mazda, just like GMC has an interest in Mitsubishi. National borders are meaning less in less when it comes to business. Their profits go to their stockholders/investors. These investors might not be  necessarily from the USA or Canada for that matter. For example Saudi Arabia has billions invested in the US economy. It is good for the economy that auto manufactures build their plants in Canada and the USA. Over the last few years the "Domestics" have been loosing billions and closing plants. Not good for the economy. You can't blame that on the Japanese. The last bastion of dominance for the "domestics" has been pick-ups. The new Tundra is another wake up call for them. Competition is good for the consumer. The internet and the speed at which information is shared is also good for the consumer(once you sort out all the crap).

[Greg B.]

Toyota, Ford, GMC, Dodge (Formerly daimlerchrysler) etc. are multi-national companies traded on the stock market.

Chrysler LLC is a private company now. You can't buy shares in it.

Over the last few years the "Domestics" have been loosing billions and closing plants. Not good for the economy. You can't blame that on the Japanese.

Really? Then who?

[articsteve]

Really? Then who?

THEMSELVES !!!!     

The did it to themselves building sh*t DECADE after DECADE.    Sucking every last dollar out of the operation; re-investing nothing until they were broke then couldn't afford it.  Even after selling everything off that was worth selling. 

I say  BOO WOO     

[mmret]

Over the last few years the "Domestics" have been loosing billions and closing plants. Not good for the economy. You can't blame that on the Japanese.

Really? Then who?

Buzz? That you?

[lou1919]

Don't be ridiculous. That's what Toyota WANTS you to think -- see "The United States of Toyota" by Peter DeLorenzo -- but the design is Japanese and all the profits go straight back to Japan as well. If a truck is sold in the US, it would eb better for the economy if it was a domestic truck.


I noticed Darthmouth as your place of residence. That would be Canada?? Dodge, Ford , and GMC are American. That makes them every bit as foreign to us in Canada as Toyota is. So how does it benefit our Canadian economy if we buy a foreign American vehicle?? You want to drive CAnadian? You'll have to buy a skidoo!!!

[jcon]

It proved nothing other than Americans tend to engage in useless BS more than Canadians.   

You should read some of the stuff you write!

[jcon]

Because when they open it to the general public they can't control the cat calling and obscene language as CAW or UAW workers cannot be fired for something like that.

 

What a load of crap! Good lord, you've gone way over the top... again.

Let's see some proof to your theories.

[articsteve]

You've lived a very sheltered life. 

[jcon]

You've lived a very sheltered life. 

I suppose being part of a union makes you a chauvinistic ass? 

[articsteve]

I suppose being part of a union makes you a chauvinistic ass?   


You don't come across as a chauvinistic ass.    If being part of a union is bothering you so much you should consider making a life style change.  Barrie's a big union guy.  Maybe he can be of assistance. 

[lou1919]

Has Toyota done anything for 2008 in relation to the load strength of their tailgates??