Posted on 02/10/2010 6:57:36 AM PST by STONEWALLS
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Ford(F Quote) has finally found a major vulnerability in Toyota's(TM Quote) products -- and it clearly isn't willing to let the opportunity slip away. Following Toyota's two massive recalls, Ford is now attempting to grow sales with new commercials taking on Toyota. The commercials are part of Ford's "Spread the Word" campaign, which was launched on Jan. 12. Each of them feature Mike Rowe, host of Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs, speaking to ordinary people in various settings about Ford vehicles. Rowe "spreads the word" at a gas station, in a coffee shop and at a school. In the school scene, Rowe finds a group of students at a library and quietly lets them know that "Ford has quality that can't be beat by Honda or Toyota."
(Excerpt) Read more at thestreet.com ...
Our family is in the same boat. Toyota and Honda have built up so much goodwill by selling us reliable and sturdy cars with good service centers that we’re willing to deal with the occasional problem. When Toyota runs a commercial saying they are fixing the problems and are committed to quality in the future, I believe them.
Ford and GM, on the other hand, sold us enough junk that they have no goodwill whatsoever. When GM runs a commercial saying, “May the best car win”, I think, “Honda and Toyota already have.”
That’s not to say there aren’t some GM products I wouldn’t like, and I’ve looked at them many times. I just can’t get over the doubt that they’ll be crappy in two years. Ford has never made a product I really want to buy.
I always try to keep the lurkers in mind. I know I'm not going to change the mind of the person I'm arguing against. :-)
That’s why I have a problem with the “initial quality” awards. Sure, the car looks great right off the lot, but what about after 35,000, 50,000, and 100,000 miles?
Iacocca's theory was based on aging plants and aging workers. This was a design flaw, not a flaw of management or workmanship, based on too much reliance on computer emulation during engineering and testing.
Good process works. Firing non-compliant workers works. Both are quite difficult in the face of hide-bound union work rules.
And the fact that Toyota has a $1000 profit advantage on every vehicle means that they can afford to keep their plants updated, while Ford can't.
Iococca was wrong in identifying the Toyota/Honda advantages, and so the current situation does not validate Iococca.
Most likely. Toyota has manufacturing in U.S., Canada, and Mexico that make most of the cars sold here.
exactly. 20 years of experience with multiple toyotas and nothing bad to report, NOT SO the random US car we have had [years ago i had a Chrysler town and country van and had the transmission go after 8 MONTHS, my husband’s Denali just had a starter go last week after 2 years]. Gov’t trashing of Toyota is suspect.
“Toyota does not make dangerous cars...”
Wrong!
Toyota’s cars have been dangerous for a long time...dangerous to GM.
Then what’s the point of studying history?
Actually what is coming true is the fact that the dimwits in the administration and the compliant media are waging war against the non-union, non-government owned vehicle manufactures. They are starting with Toyota and they will increase this war against other manufacturers as the momentum builds. Ford will be the last one on the hit list because they are American owned, but they will have the "defect" campaign waged against them.
This isn't about Japanese vs American it is about Government motors vs Private ownership.
Well, the dealer is sort of the face of Ford. But I would agree my comment was a bit off topic.
I also agree that the Hyundai Genesis is a really nice car and was also being considered in our decision.
Honda had this problem with the Accord transmissions mated to the V6 engine in ‘98-’99. What did they do? They initially fixed the transmissions without question, then ultimately extended the warranty to 100,000 miles. Thereafter they offered a prorated replacement to 150,000 miles.
Look at Henry Ford, he was an anti semitic Hitlerphile. Hardly an outstanding person to emulate.
We had different vehicle brands basically until I got into high school. After that my family became Honda/Toyota/Acura/Lexus buyers.
My dad did buy a new Tahoe in 2001 because he wanted the towing capacity. He sold it at 37,000 miles. The LAST straw was that he pulled the driver door shut and the whole inside door panel came off in his lap...at 36,700 miles and 700 miles out of warranty. The dealer refused to fix it even though it was so close to warranty. Dad paid for the fix, then sold it and bought an Avalon.
We have a Nissan Xterra with 80,000 miles on it. We love it, but it isn’t as refined (cabin materials and coarser engine) as the Toyota and Honda products. But, at least it is holding up well and hasn’t given us any problems.
Watching the news one night I kid you not the reporter had a freudian slip. Refered to it as “The Tirestone Fire and Rubber company.”
Please.
I don’t know what “early on” means to you. For decades GM trucks have been industry-leading in quality and comfort. For decades foreign trucks were pretty crappy and didn’t measure. Those are proven facts, with sales figures to boot. The current numbers are driven by the same kind of media hysteria that has whipped people into turning on their once-precious Toyotas.
Go ahead and send your money and your neighbors’ jobs overseas. But don’t pretend it’s the domestic automakers’ fault.
Careful now, Ford is the only US automaker that did not take, or need, bailout money from the Feds. I like Toyota and love my Lexus but I am also a dedicated capitalist and know that Toyota's failure will be healthy for them, and Ford's tough talk is just competition at its finest.
Toyota has screwed up royally. They deserve their lumps and Toyota USA will be stronger as a result. Maybe their car prices will fall. Maybe some of their engineers will be fired or they will use better and more detailed test protocols.
The only bad resulting from this mess is that it was a San Diego law enforcement officer, and his family, that had to lose their lives over the sticky gas pedal.
But the notion that Ford is playing hardball unfairly or talking too tough is balderdash. If they didn't try to exploit the weakenesses of Toyota, then such WOULD be proof that Ford's senior executives have the government or unionists in their shorts.
C'mon, all we Freepers like and respect aggressive competition and competitors.
Besides, in spite of their shortcomings Toyota's fundamental advantages versus any of the American automakers have not changed.
Don’t argue with them. I have tried. For some reason, they can’t disconnect.
“do a search here “Ford Foundation” and see if you still want a Ford”
There is no connection between Ford Motor Company and The Ford Foundation. No need to tell Obamas.
“Last I heard The Ford Foundation’s benfactor is the Ford family and that family still has a big say—if not actually runing—the company.”
You heard wrong on both counts.
Thanks for the info. However, it does not mitigate my disdain for anything Henry Ford’s aires had/have their hand in. That includes their recent crop of vehicles.
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