Toyota sales sink in January; Ford and GM post gains(GM 145,804 vehicles, Ford 112,149)

LATimes.com ^ | February 3,2010 | By Jerry Hirsch

[Reaganez]

Toyota Motor Corp., reeling from two recalls and suspension of sales of many popular models, sold 18,500 fewer vehicles in the U.S. in January .

Meanwhile, General Motors Co. saw its sales rise 14.6% to 145,804. Sales of its core Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac nameplates rose 30%, GM said.

Ford Motor Co. sales jumped 24.4% in January to 112,149 vehicles compared with last year, according to Autodata Corp., which compiles the numbers.

Toyota continued to apologize to customers and said it was concerned about lasting damage to its market position.

Analysts said it was unlikely that Toyota would allow rivals to poach its business. "We expect Toyota to use its formidable resources to fight back," said Efraim Levy, a Standard & Poor's equity analyst.

[Reaganez]

Ford doing well,GM doing better.

I don't grade on a curve.

[caver]

This author chooses what facts he likes. How much did GM and Chrysler sales fall last year verses Toyota? The media can spin all they want, but GM and Chrylser will never recover. Toyota will recover.

[Dem Guard]

Toyota has created a classic “cluster f**k” for themselves.
Their next model should be called the “Prayer”! ;-)

[RayChuang88]

And Ford will do really well once the new Fiesta and Focus models arrive over the next 12 months.

[doodad]

That would be except the Pontiac Vibe which uses the same pedal assembly.

[anglian]

Feb. 2, 2010 - Apple Founder: Toyota Problem is Software
Wozniak Says Problem with His Runaway Prius is Not the Gas Pedal
Steve Wosniak on ABC News claiming he can often but not always cause a runaway acceleration in his 2010 Prius by tapping the cruise control, presumably meaning it is neither the pedal nor the floormats, but most likely a software glitch.

But that’s not the story. The story is he (says he) could reach neither officials at Toyota nor in the government, couldn’t even get the numbers, which is why he called the news.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/RunawayToyotas/apple-founder-toyota-problem-software/story?id=9728007

[Reaganez]

Caver can spin all he wants.

Japan’s population is in declime and so is Toyota.

Toyota lost $21B last year.

GM will more than recover.

Facts GM has about 20% market share in the US.. Toyota about 15% market share in the US. And they had about 17% before the recall madness.It will only get worse for Toyota and Toyota Kowtowers.

[Reaganez]

And GM will do much better once Cruze,AVEO,Regal arrive over the next 12 monts.

Not to mention the Buzz Volt will create.

[caver]

You can spin for Obama all you want, but GM and Chysler will never be what they once were.

[Reaganez]

GM no longer sales Vibe. GM no longer sales Pontiac.

Except for the last few on dealer lots from last year.

Vibe/Toyota quality is not good enough for the New GM.

[anglian]

Volt is electrifying all right. Watch, cry, kiss you money goodbye.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvwTMZNWGuk&feature=player_embedded

[Straight Vermonter]

LOL, that is the most ridiculous thing I have seen in a long time!

[caver]

I’m not spinning for the Japs. I’m spinnning for true Americans, not commie loving Obama ass kissers like yourself. Go to DU where you belong.

[Onerom99]

I wouldn’t buy a Ford or GM with your money.

Pieces of garbage.

[libertarian27]

How come they left Honda, Hyundai and Kia out of this article?

[Chi-townChief]

This can’t make the baby boomer liberals too happy.

[Caipirabob]

I'd still buy a Toyota over a GM or Ford. I think the key to buying a Toyota is the plant where it was manufactured. Having owned my share of American makes, the Lexus is so far above and beyond superior to the crap the American competition has turned out it's inconceivable I'll ever do more than rent them for travel now and then.

The last Ford I drove was a 2008 Explorer. The first one I climbed into immediately had a transmission problem and the key would not release from the ignition. The next one I got into worked, but after a week of touring the plastics were nearly rattling apart. Disgusting construction quality.

I've tried the lesser GM and was wholely unimpressed. I've recently considered looking into a 4X4 and I'm thinking a Toyota SUV or truck. I've had too many bad experiences to change now. They lost me forever.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

That’s what it’s all about...that’s what it’s all about.

[RayChuang88]

What's interesting is that I'm starting to hear rumors that GM is seriously looking at assembling and selling the next-generation Opel Meriva in the North American market under the Chevrolet label. Why? Because of Honda's enormous success with the Fit hatchback, and GM now has a car that can directly compete against it.

Here's a picture of what the new Meriva looks like: