Posted on 07/17/2021 12:18:38 PM PDT by Leaning Right
Toyota tops many automotive lists. Even if one of the brand’s vehicles doesn’t take the number-one spot, the Japanese automaker often boasts the most well-reviewed vehicles. And now, Toyota has done it again, this time by beating General Motors in U.S. sales.
(Excerpt) Read more at motorbiscuit.com ...
> Unions ruined the American car companies. <
Lots of truth there. As someone who once worked in a steel mill, I could tell you a dozen stories about how the union wrecked things.
But the problem is not with unions themselves. A union is just an advocacy group, much like a law firm is just an advocacy group. The problem is that there is no longer a level playing field between the unions and management.
Let me give you an example. In my state, a company cannot permanently fire striking workers. So the unions have the power to strike. But the companies do not have the power to permanently replace the striking workers.
So what happens when workers strike? Companies give in until they can give in no longer. Then they close for good.
About 12 years ago I bought my last Toyota.
Toyota will now do without my money.
1. Toyota builds many of its vehicles right here in the U.S. They are probably more "American" than GM right now.
2. Toyota is a publicly traded company. The profits go wherever the shareholders are -- including right here in the U.S. In one of the great ironies of this modern global economy, a UAW worker employed by General Motors is far better off with Toyota stock than GM stock in his pension fund.
Had a 2010 Rav 4 Limited for 7 years, had 1 recall.
Have a 2017 Rav 4, not a single recall.
Try that GM
Basically, it's the fuel efficiency standards that have driven GM and Ford out of the sedan business. The complex factors are this:
1. In order to meet the U.S. fuel efficiency standard for cars, these companies must sell a large number of compact cars to drive up their average fuel efficiency ratings for their combined fleets of compacts, mid-sized cars, full-sized cars, etc.
2. With UAW labor, these companies can't price their compact cars competitively. Interestingly, their biggest competition for Ford and GM compact cars isn't compact cars made by foreign companies, but mid-sized cars and small SUVs made by Ford and GM. A UAW-made compact car would be priced at $25,000 (for example), so the typical customer realizes that they'd rather just pay another $5,000 to $7,000 for a bigger/better car, or another $10,000 for a small SUV.
3. Since Ford and GM would have to sell the compact cars at a loss just to meet the average fuel efficiency standards for their car fleets and/or make them in Mexico and China with non-UAW labor (and cause major labor strife in the process), they figured it was easier just to get out of the car business entirely.
No. Simply being a public traded company does not defacto keep the profits where they shareholders are..
Stock value is not from profits…. Only money a stockholder directly gets from a company are dividend payments if they pay any and even that is whatever the board decides, and is not 100% of profits.
Most power even in publicly traded company is not help by common stock holders.
Driving a Lexus suv since 2009, almost 200k now.
Never a problem. Runs like a top.
Thinking about going for 300k.
I have two friends that have driven Toyota PUs over 300k, original motors, no rebuilds.
If I buy Toyota stock at $10/share and sell it years later for $100/share, I get the $90/share capital gain all to myself. It's not like half of it -- or even 1% of it -- gets skimmed off the top by some Japanese dude.
I once had a lot of sympathy and good will for GM. I don’t anymore.
That stock price is a capitol gain it has nothing directly to do with profit or losses….
Company could have crap profits and you can make money on the sale or doing fabulous and have a low stock price.
As I said, unless the company pays dividends their profits or losses don’t go to stock holders. The board controls what the company does.. can decide to offshore everything and you can make money when you sell but that has nothing to do with keeping the profits to the stockholders or where they live.
It was downsized by Obama. Under his wonderful wisdom, Oldsmobile and Pontiac were dissolved and all dealerships liquidated. You are right. GM should have been dissolved and the unions also.
Another corporation that has to make their politics known.
General Motors has been a national embarrassment for decades now.
I know everyone seems to hate Prius, but I love mine. It’s a 2011 hatchback, 300,000 miles, still going strong, takes next to no gas, and is the best buy I ever made. If it ever dies (I’m beginning to think it never will), I will buy another Prius. On the other hand, I also have a 2016 Camry which is lovely and guzzles gas like a drunk. It’s beautiful and I hate it! Too delicate and too hungry.
We own 4 of the Camry produced there. Have owned 6. I like my cars American but not UAW made. Yes my entire family (-1) buys Camrys. We get better deals. If they need a couple of sales for the month to make their bonus numbers we get a call. If it’s a deal and we need a car, we pay less. Best time to buy a car or get a job is when your not in a bind. We do drive them for 8-10 years.
Reading the comments.
How quickly everyone forgets. That is what makes me think all this chatting is worthless. Just a week or so ago Toyota announce that it would withhold donations to any congress people who suggested election fraud. Not one mention of that here.
But you little stand for nothings just keep buying your Toyota’s.
dfwgator - to your point, the founder of Toyota was named Toyoda. Odd coincidence.
My GM car is on it’s 18th year.
> Just a week or so ago Toyota announce that it would withhold donations to any congress people who suggested election fraud. <
suthener mentioned that in his post #33.
I knew about it as well. It’s a big disappointment. I’m guessing that it was a cold political - and not a heart-felt - move on Toyota’s part.
Anyway, I didn’t mention it because I just wanted to start a discussion about cars, and car reliability. I have no problem with folks shunning Toyota because of that announcement. But my goodness, every thread doesn’t have to be political. For example, we should be able to talk about Volkswagens without getting all worked up about the Hitler connection.
Just my two cents. Others might have a very different outlook. And I respect that.
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