Toyota's ‘automatic' status is slip-sliding away

[DainBramaged]

Every day seems to bring fresh bad news for Toyota. Tuesday, it came from Consumer Reports, which urged consumers not to buy the Lexus GX 460 because of a potential roll-over danger.

It's yet another blow to Toyota's engineering and quality reputation. The tally of safety recalls, Congressional probes, fines and other woes keeps mounting.

How far has Toyota's reputation fallen?

Only last year, Consumer Reports was slapping “Recommended” labels on new Toyota models -- before compiling reliability data like other brands had to -- because past Toyotas had been so reliable. At the bible of the rational buyer, slipping from automatic “recommended” to “don't buy” so quickly pretty much makes it official:

Toyota has lost its “automatic” status.

The distinction is subtle.

Rivals start to advertise “better than” instead of “as good as.” The next new-car time, fewer loyal owners simply buy the latest Toyota. More at least consider other brands. Toyota's still “on the shopping list,” but no longer “is the shopping list.”

But the impact is real.

One immediate implication for Toyota and its dealers: Prepare for thinner margins. That price premium for superior quality is melting.


Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20100414/BLOG03/100419947/1147#ixzz0lDO71j1u

[Tarheel_Dem]

1. Buy American, so the money stays here, and I don't have to worry...

about an out of control Toyota barreling down on me, in my Pontiac.

[paulk]

3. GM and Toyota have a partnership

the Pontiac "Vibe" is made by Toyota...

[DainBramaged]

4. Uh, that ended last year, and NUMMI is now officially over......

The Vibe was made by GM in a joint venture with Toyota making Vibes, Corollas, trucks, and the Matrix in the only UAW staffed plant under Toyota in the US. Of course, when the opportunity presented itself, 5500 workers out on waivers, remaining model runs will be imported form japan, so sorry America.:grr:

[Lord Magus]

2. That's what happens when your negligence starts killing your customers.