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Toyota is on the Offensive. Will it work? - READ ONLY

786 messages,  Last post on Nov 17, 2010 at 1:17 PM

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Messages Page 75 of 79

#737 of 786 I think by drfill

Oct 11, 2007 (7:36 pm)

Wagoner has a trifle more work to do, no?
 
   DrFill

#738 of 786 Re: I think [drfill] by rockylee

Oct 11, 2007 (9:21 pm)

Replying to: drfill (Oct 11, 2007 7:36 pm)
Perhaps, but it seems Wagoner's company is on the upswing.
 
Toyota, while not doing bad by any means seems to be expierencing some issues across it's company. I'm sure in time they will be able address them.
 
Ghosn, well he went from being king of the mountain to well king of a mole hill, eh ? Based on what I've seen he was a bit over hyped as hindsight is 20/20 for most people.
 
-Rocky

#739 of 786 I like what both GM and Nissan have done by drfill

Oct 12, 2007 (5:39 am)

Over the past 5 years! They've both produced some of their best product ever.
 
   They're comers.
 
   I don't know what Ford is doin'. That dog don't bite!
 
   DrFill

#740 of 786 Re: Toyota is on the defensive. Will it work? [rockylee] by carguy58

Oct 12, 2007 (4:26 pm)

Replying to: rockylee (Oct 11, 2007 6:04 pm)
"I do not know if they are playing offense anymore ? It appears to me they are on the defensive because all their top executives that knew how torun the company right have jumped ship."
 
Well maybe it was just time for a shake-up at Toyota I mean there is a reason for everything that some things happen for a reason.
 
I think Toyota's branded product(minus Lexus and Scion) has gotten too predictable since 2003 and in some spots since 2000 maybe as well except for the 2007 Camry.

#741 of 786 Re: Toyota is on the defensive. Will it work? [carguy58] by gotoyota

Oct 13, 2007 (12:32 am)

Replying to: carguy58 (Oct 12, 2007 4:26 pm)
Well maybe it was just time for a shake-up at Toyota I mean there is a reason for everything that some things happen for a reason.
  
I think Toyota's branded product(minus Lexus and Scion) has gotten too predictable since 2003 and in some spots since 2000 maybe as well except for the 2007 Camry.
 
I agree... but I also think it could have something to do with the fact that Toyota pays its executives much less than other car companies pay their execs. Jim Press, as much as he appeared to love his job at Toyota, was there for a very long time...29, 30 years?? And when Chrysler came knockin', he wasn't about to "jump ship" when Toyota was on a roll, to take the helm at nearly orphaned Chrysler unless there was a very large pay increase involved. I don't remember the figures, but I read an article about him in Motor Trend several months ago, and it mentioned that his salary was a fraction of what Nissans Charles Ghosn was paid, for example. But his departure will not have a major impact on Toyota in the near future. The way Toyota is run extends all the way from the C-level guys to the laborors - it's a culture, not a business plan. It has been that way for years and is credited as the reason for their success. Toyota/Lexus/Scion will be fine without Press, but they might have to pony up a few extra dollars to retain top talent going forward. Who really knows. Maybe Press was just bored with being on top and wanted a new challenge - Chrysler would certainly fill the need.
It could be a very good thing to get some fresh blood at Toyota's senior level. As much as I like them, I still find myself wondering at times why Toyota doesn't produce anything that feels as "fun" as a Honda or as serious about driving as a BMW. They have the talent, but all their cars have a certain disconnectedness about them. I have learned to trust and respect them over the years I have been driving, and I've never driven anything that impresses with quality like a Toyota, but I still find myself yearning for something with more soul from time to time. The "fun factor" in a Toyota seems more coincidental than deliberate. I hope the new leadership has a little more passion.

#742 of 786 Execs Shuffling by joe97

Oct 13, 2007 (5:19 pm)

First Meyer, then Press, and now Farley, all in just a few months...something brewing in the Toyota land?
 
FWIW, I wish all three the best of luck in their future endeavors. Those are good people, as learned firsthand from talking with them at various events over the past few years. I trust their departures were for good reasons.
 
Further, more indicator an unstable auto market, with executive shuffling going on all over...

#743 of 786 Re: Execs Shuffling [joe97] by gotoyota

Oct 13, 2007 (5:50 pm)

Replying to: joe97 (Oct 13, 2007 5:19 pm)
Yeah, I'm curious to see what happens next. Who's Farley and what was his/her position? I hadn't heard that one. I just hope their successors can bring some passion to the company. As good as Press is, and as much as I respect his leadership, he wasn't passionate about cars.

#744 of 786 Re: Execs Shuffling [gotoyota] by joe97

Oct 13, 2007 (9:08 pm)

Replying to: gotoyota (Oct 13, 2007 5:50 pm)
Who's Farley and what was his/her position?
 
1) oversaw the launch of Scion
 
2) general manager of Lexus
 
3) group vice president of marketing of Toyota
 
He is now going to Ford as its group vice president of marketing

#745 of 786 Re: Execs Shuffling [joe97] by gotoyota

Oct 15, 2007 (5:44 am)

Replying to: joe97 (Oct 13, 2007 9:08 pm)
Thanks for the info. The one thing that is obvious in all of this... Toyota execs are clearly not "jumping ship" as some of the naysayers are so quick to "point out." Sure, Toyota has its struggles - and that is to be expected with the growth they have experienced over the last two decades - but they are on top. Ford, GM, and especially Chrysler are the ones bailing water. I don't mean that as an offense toward anyone, because I actually feel glad about GM's recent turnaround and I'm genuinely hopeful that all three of the Big Three are successful, but it's true that they have been the ones scrambling to redefine, reshape, reinvent, etc., to prevent further market share loss. It's apparent that they're putting on the full court press (no pun intended) to bring in new blood. Who better than the top US brass from Toyota/Lexus/Scion?

#746 of 786 Re: Execs Shuffling [gotoyota] by rockylee

Oct 15, 2007 (9:08 pm)

Replying to: gotoyota (Oct 15, 2007 5:44 am)
Well I don't recall GM, taking anyone from Toyota, Lexus, Scion, help their turn around plan. I'm not saying that Ford, Chrysler, didn't need the help. I'm actually glad both (Ford, Chrysler) of them hired these ex Toyota, executives. I personally would of liked Jim Press, to work for GM, but his skills are in need at Chrysler.
 
-Rocky

Messages Page 75 of 79

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