Toyota pulls out of Formula One

Toyota has quit Formula One motor racing, in a move that leaves the scandal-hit sport without any participation by Japanese automakers in the coming season.

The decision, which was announced in Tokyo this morning, is part of Toyota’s wider efforts to slash costs after an extraordinary board meeting held at the company’s headquarters. Toyota is already rumoured to be looking for an Asian buyer for the team.

Toyota’s pullout follows a similar decision from Bridgestone, which announced three days ago that it would stop providing tyres after the 2010 season.

That, combined with Honda’s surprise exit from the sport last year, completes the trio of withdrawals by major Japanese companies: cost is understood to be the prime concern behind all three decisions, though industry insiders said that the sport’s image is increasingly of synch with the Japanese firms’ corporate emphasis on “green” technologies.

Toyota had previously asserted that it would continue to field a team until 2012 but the continuing misery in its mainstream car business has made the F1 team too heavy a cost burden.

Their decision comes despite Honda’s visible regret at its own decision to quit the sport. When Honda sold its team last year, its new owners, led by Ross Brawn delivered constructors’ championship victory for the former Honda car and drivers championship triumph for Jenson Button. Analysts have estimated that Honda may have missed out on $255 million worth of brand exposure via its absence from F1.

Toyota’s dwindling interest in F1 was apparent last month when the company withdrew its sponsorship of the Japanese Grand Prix, which was held on the Fuji Speedway circuit that the company itself owns.

G'morning, my friend.
Must've just missed you, last night.
Would enjoy responding to a few [read: all :o)] of your comments.

>Ask yourselves this: Does Toyota really need NASCAR to sell Camrys? ;^)
"Well, you answered this quite well in following paragraphs (and didn't leave me much, but I'll improvise) [almost NFL/Limbaugh-esque?, but definitely UAW influenced]"

Great sense of humor, my friend. ;^) LOL

"Racing is jointly advertisement and R&D."

Totally agree, absolutely.
It's the necessity of either, I question.

"Some companies also do it for prestige, or used to be able to afford to do so."

Yes, in the "old days" this is very true. Certainly long before the Japanese owned Toyota (Toyoda) made the scene.
The ol' "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday" was really so, a Lee Iaccoca would've been the very first to tell anyone that much. They broke the proverbial mold when that man left the industry.

"As to Toyota, when they first considered sponsoring, I recall some questioning whether they (a non US corp) should be allowed to compete. NASCAR being 'American'."

Yes, you're communicating with one of the "somes". LOL

"Of course, non of the competition 'cars' are actually manufacturing brands..."

No, not now. OTOH my cousin (much older than I, FWIW) was an "official" in the 60s for NASCAR. At the time I never heard the acronym "NASCAR", though.

All I knew was "Andy" would come up from FL every year, park his trailer in our driveway so he could officiate at the "200 Mile Late Model Stock Car Race" at The Milwaukee Mile" on the Wisconsin State Fair Park grounds.

Got *special* privileges because of that man, long before there were to my knowledge, "Pit Passes" available to the general public for a price.

Point is: I can clearly recall in my mind's eye the likes of Fred Lorenzen, "Fireball" Roberts and a very young Richard Petty to name only a few. All today part of racing legend. And I mean up close & personal in some cases, the cars those men raced were indeed "Stock cars".
As you know.

"...and Toyota did have US facilities (or were being built)."

Assembled, huge difference.
My educational backgrounds an EE. Specialized in factory automation, ie, robotics A to Z, ring nets (old stuff, today), welding, painting ops via robotic device & on and on. I tell you this because my first internship job was with a Swedish outfit named ASEA. Look it up. My "job" was cracking open wooden shipping cases, unpacking & then assembling contents. When finished there'd be a shiny new very advanced servo motor driven, sometimes multi-axis device. Cutting edge stuff then, taken for granted, today.

FYI: None of the "value added" components were built in US foundries, forge shops, machine shops etc. *None*. The Swedish peoples got that gravy. Just as in most cases the Japanese peoples do with autos, today.

Last I'd heard same goes with Toyota et al and all the other foreign marques "assembled" here stateside. Though admittedly [that] may be changing. I've a very good pal living in Newburgh, IN. A Sr. VP for a recycling concern [read: scrap yard]. Nearly every billet of reclaimed aluminum's bought by Toyota in Princeton, Indiana. So there's obbiously *some* kind of heavy manufacturing going on today, beyond that which I was aware years ago.

"I thought that their ability to design and build close tolerance production cars would prove to be an asset and that their racing cars would quickly have a showing."

And IMO you're absolutely spot-on with your thinking because Toyota certainly has met & exceeded your expectation(s). Honda *&* Nissan while not as high profiled have also had successes, too; moreover, the automation processes are largely attributable to the Japanese manufactures were great influences with our Big 3 if only for QC.

Particularly influenced was GM, their embracing of GE/Funuc. Is why GM can build a 400# LS7 delivering 500HP @ 480lb/ft of torque *while* approaching upper 20s for mileage -- as long as one keeps their spurs outa the thing? LOL

Ford & Chrysler have achieved similar & respectable results as GM. The kind of performance in years past required sending INE components to racing motor machine shops for ops such as head work, balancing etc are now done at the factory on all autos; hence, great mileage, reliability and especially performance. Right?

Insofar as NASCAR goes, though? The cars are a light year away from "stock", so far in fact it's borders ludicrous.
Of course the venue's hardly "National" anymore too, unless one buys a distortion of the term 'national' as this generation seems so adept at doing in order they fit their dream into a template of comfort? LOL

"...aside, their initial track failures were somewhat amazing, at least to me."

In my engineering background, particularly in the beginning? "Learning Curves" were often "Learning Walls".
Didn't surprise me one iota Toyota experienced catastrophic failures in the Cup venue, and in spite of several years prep time in the truck series. Part of the process.

And even then didn't at least ONE Dodge team lose their franchise because they'd given Toyota a Dodge racing mill, perhaps even offering other aid? Yea, I think so and today that same team races, ready...Toyota. LOL Shezam.
The Japanese are if nothing else the "Reverse Engineering Kings" of the entire species. More power to 'em, just saying. ;^)

"I guess any continuation could be considered as R&D, since as you say, they don't need the advertisement."

Except Toyota who comfortably leads in the coveted mid-sized passenger car category. Soon other sizes too, I'm sure.
GM, Ford & Chrysler, OTOH, need all the help they can get. Providing, they can continue to afford participation?

"Or, maybe they consider it as being part of the 'fraternity'?"

Take your pick, my friend. I'm merely an unamused spectator these days. :^)

Even the returns on R&D's suspect --IMO-- due entirely to today's amazing computers & software employed for geometric modeling etc. As opposed to the "old days" when say a 426 cu.in Hemi or a Ford cammer 427 --also a hemi headed design tho' Mr. Jessup's the man on all things Ford-- were run at the upper edge of their perceived designed tolerances, on race tracks. If the motor failed? Engineers did their post mortem autopsy and made correction(s), accordingly. Anything we got out of the showroom were built to specs much less; hence, more reliable so the theory went.

Now consider the viability of R&D return(s), today.
The real question of whether a win on any day xlates into a sale, coupled with NASCAR's seeming reluctance to focus on winning monikers in lieu of capped teeth kid-drivers, many who don't even shave? And I for one have to wonder what's in it for the Big 3, anymore.

The cost(s) to the Big 3 have to be simply staggering and my friend, for those of us who purchase one of the Big 3's products? We're paying for the NASCAR racing programs. Racing program costs are built-in to every car & truck we purchase. Is the additional cost necessary?

How long before the usually gawd-awful smart, wily clever & cutting edge Japanese figure out everything discussed for themselves? FWIW methinks they already have, in Formula 1A.

"[I think that the only part of any NASCAR 'COT' car, that is in anyway part of any car company, is the letters displaying said company name in vinyl or enamel]"

~& I think you're one astute person because that's all it is. LOL

IF a motor, any brand including Toyota --& they're all pretty much equal-- doesn't frag during a race? It's really all about chassis and tires. Isn't it.

And NASCAR *wonders* why they're taking on water fast by the bow. LOL!!

Thanks for the wonderful conversation my friend, and to you BBM for posting this fascinating article. ;^)

Great sense of humor, my friend. ;^) LOL

Your interpretive abilities are greater (considering what I wrote and the fact that you deciphered it as I intended).

"Racing is jointly advertisement and R&D."
>It's the necessity of either, I question.

Years back, it was cheaper and achieved a greater exposure for the car companies. Now, it may be necessary to give their company the slight edge needed to gain a customer's consideration (perhaps, what was old is, not new, but needed again?)

The ol' "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday" was really so

The translation to the factory floor was get it out of the door, not dis-similar to the dealership (I worked in both). Lee Ioccococa lead a turn around that may be the last we see in the auto industry.

Yes, you're communicating with one of the "somes". LOL

Eh, so was I at the time (even though a greater percentage of the parts coming into the plant were boxed/made out of country)

Got *special* privileges because of that man, long before there were to my knowledge, "Pit Passes" available to the general public for a price.

Think that you just summed up four decades of racing.

I tell you this because my first internship job was with a Swedish outfit named ASEA. Look it up.

(chuckles...) No need to look up ASEA, had one of the first robots in our Framingham, MA GMAD plant (might have been CPC then). It was strictly for dimensional checks, but every now and then it would go off on it's own. I was among the few (non IE) to deal with the carnage.

In my engineering background, particularly in the beginning? "Learning Curves" were often "Learning Walls".

It was the same on the production floor, whether it be mechanics or people. We presumed the 14th floor was no different (which affected the engineering division and all those below... engineering IS the top tier).

I'm merely an unamused spectator these days. :^)

Me too, also two, but I suppose we should be thankful that racing is still allowed and gas made available.

Anything we got out of the showroom were built to specs much less; hence, more reliable so the theory went.

Yes and lead was an available lubricant (amongst all of the other special stuffs, such as and up to Sunoco 260?). There were engineers whose production specs made it through the process (Duntov/Shelby come to mind)

You brought up the current and future of NASCAR which made me think of the recent problems and expansion that the NFL is considering.

Ah well, at least we have some entertainment from their antics (even if it's those off course/field).

Agree that it's enjoyable 'jawin' with you and others. (lawn chairs, coolers, a grille and the smell of meat and petrol in the air would add to it though)

"Your interpretive abilities are greater (considering what I wrote and the fact that you deciphered it as I intended)."

LOL!!
I call it right once in a while, my friend. Broken clock & all that. ;^)

>It's the necessity of either, I question. (market'g & R&D)
"Years back, it was cheaper and achieved a greater exposure for the car companies."

Yes, exactly. You've nailed the nail squarely on the proverbial head. It was fiscally feasible doing R&D *and* advertising via NASCAR and/or NASCAResque activities like the NHRA. Before TV. Before the super ego.

"Now, it may be necessary to give their company the slight edge needed to gain a customer's consideration (perhaps, what was old is, not new, but needed again?)"

Deja vu all over again? Personally I don't *think* it's the same, my friend. The people, they've changed. A lot, and by no accident. Another matter for another time; but, suffice to say the marketers are aiming at a different market using different shticks. That's where the viability of a NASCAR becomes suspect, must withstand scrutiny considering the enormous costs.

Big Bill France was at the bottom. The "track" was a public beach. Lots of growth potential fueled by all those post WWII fellas, their growing families etc. We are, frankly, bloated & hit the top. In the world according to me, anyway. LOL

>The ol' "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday" was really so
"The translation to the factory floor was get it out of the door, not dis-similar to the dealership (I worked in both)."

Right again, and "quality" not much of a consideration. We paid a dear price for the short sightedness. Still are.

"Lee Iaccoca lead a turn around that may be the last we see in the auto industry."

Sadly, I must agree.
A man leading men in a man's world.
They broke the mold, anyway.
Where're the "Chicago" bands today to sing for a savior to come as they did their great song Harry Truman?
Ain't none, no greatness a'tall.

>Yes, you're communicating with one of the "somes".
"Eh, so was I at the time (even though a greater percentage of the parts coming into the plant were boxed/made out of country)"

Yes, you're correct. Again. LOL
Guess there's a grain of truth to the ol' tome, "Last refuge of a scoundrel is patriotism" after all. Hey, I'm a victim. LOL

>Got *special* privileges because of that man, long before there were to my knowledge, "Pit Passes" available to the general public for a price.
"Think that you just summed up four decades of racing."

Perhaps, but interestingly enough NASCAR with all their MBAs et al ad naseum can't see they'd be better by being less. It simply isn't necessary to have Fox or whoever show us the colonoscopy of their favorite driver. Aside from overkill it grossly misses the point of racing: The race.

>I tell you this because my first internship job was with a Swedish outfit named ASEA. Look it up.
"(chuckles...) No need to look up ASEA, had one of the first robots in our Framingham, MA GMAD plant (might have been CPC then). It was strictly for dimensional checks, but every now and then it would go off on it's own. I was among the few (non IE) to deal with the carnage."

BWWWWWWHAAAAAA!!! Yes, in the beginning.
Man at the start of all the automation craze, approximately early 80s, the corporate daddy warbucks of the country envisioned dumping raw materials into one end of their dark facility, finished products spewing from the other into waiting trucks. Their Lincolns backed up to a loading dock filling their trunks with loot. Funny stuff.

The misapplication of automation, particularly robotics, spawned an entirely new business: Robot Brokers. LOL
Oh the stories of idiots setting up these device 500 of feet from a forge shop (w/ *big* hammers) are legion, and damned funny. The brokers "cleaned-up" on mega buck devices that'd been pushed off into the corners of grimy, dingy manufacturing operations because they just couldn't keep 'em in spec for some *reason*!! LOL!!

>In my engineering background, particularly in the beginning? "Learning Curves" were often "Learning Walls".
"It was the same on the production floor, whether it be mechanics or people. We presumed the 14th floor was no different (which affected the engineering division and all those below... engineering IS the top tier)."

Presumption's the stepchild of assumption. Often we didn't have a clue at the 14th and it got no better as we descended to the basement. LOL

Were continually up against the wall, unrealistic deadlines were the rule. Got so bad at one outfit, P&H Harnischfeger, I recall equipment suspended in the air heading for flat bed rail cars/trucks with painters walking underneath spraying the bottom of the product!!
Man, talk about shoddy. As I said we paid and still are.

>I'm merely an unamused spectator these days.
"Me too, also two, but I suppose we should be thankful that racing is still allowed and gas made available."

These days? Yes. And that we aren't required, by law, to grovel for the privilege. Yet. LOL
[That] is the A#1 reason I went out & blew the wad last spring. Snagged one of Detroit's crown gems while they're here. Because they, the supercars, sure won't be for too much longer. While racing will always live in my heart? A little *piece* will always live in the garage, too. Won't be caught regretting I'd not hung on to a L-88, 340 or whatever. Not gonna happen again. ;^) LOL

>Anything we got out of the showroom were built to specs much less; hence, more reliable so the theory went.
"Yes and lead was an available lubricant (amongst all of the other special stuffs, such as and up to Sunoco 260?). There were engineers whose production specs made it through the process (Duntov/Shelby come to mind)"

Granted, and great men to which we must add Harley Earl & Virgil Exner. ~sigh~ Those were the days.

"You brought up the current and future of NASCAR which made me think of the recent problems and expansion that the NFL is considering."

The NFL's considering *expansion*??
Good grief, as it is there aren't enough quality players to go around. Benches ridiculously thin. And the imbecile Goodell wants to dilute the pool even further? LOL!!

"Ah well, at least we have some entertainment from their antics (even if it's those off course/field)."

Y'know, T_f? After the NFL gang banged Limbaugh? Personally I couldn't care less what the NFL does or doesn't do, anymore. And mind you we live a scant 150 miles south of Green bay, too. Pro ball runs awfully deep 'round here.

That last stunt simply knocked the wind out of my enthusiasm in ways I cannot describe, never thought possible. Isn't unlike the last MLB strike. Murdered my interest in the game, to this day.
Curiously enough I've found other things to do, in short I got a life. LOL

Moreover the disinterest *infection* has now spread to my love of college ball, also.
Anyway sorry to veer --wildly-- OT, but, you mentioned it & I of weak character couldn't resist. LOL

"Agree that it's enjoyable 'jawin' with you and others. (lawn chairs, coolers, a grille and the smell of meat and petrol in the air would add to it though)"

Now you're talking.
Just one thing, my friend.
Best wait for next spring. ;^) LOL

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