It's Always Sunny in Toyota City
While the faintest signs of economic turnaround have Detroit going back to optimistic prognosis mode, Toyota’s new boss isn’t ready to be caught guessing. Automotive News [sub] reports that Akio Toyoda is forecasting losses through March 2010, saying “we want to do everything possible to avoid a third consecutive year of losses.” Toyoda’s goal? Profitability using only 70 percent of his firm’s production capacity. Which means no plant shutdowns are planned. Keep breathing, San Antonio. Emphasizing the conservative approach is Toyota’s forecast of an $8.8 billion loss through March 2010. Analysts expect the loss to be closer to $5 billion, says AN. More autonomy for US operations and an emphasis on regionally marketed products are also major components of Toyoda’s revamp of the world’s largest automaker.
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This is the guy in charge of toyota? Hm. No wonder their vehicles have an undeniable bland cast about their styling.. just look at him. His expression instantly reminds me of a futurama character, president of the neutral planet.. "I have no strong feelings one way or the other." Bland.. isn't necessarily bad, though. Just.. safe.
Just don't let the bean counters cut any more quality. Toyota's latest interiors are dangerously close to the level of garbage Nissan was using early in their recovery starting with the '02 Altima. The Altima was fun to drive, so its crap interior was somewhat forgivable. The Camry is not. If it gets much worse, customers will start jumping ship for the Sonata.
I don't think Honda and Toyota can fend off Hyundai. Honda could, but sadly, I don't think they will.
The Toyoda lad has everything needed to settle placidly his facial features upon the mount known as Rushmore.