Toyota to GM: Get Well Soon. Honda to GM: Drop Dead
The morning after U.S. new cars sales fell prey to the ides of March, ToMoCo’s MD sent General Motors a get well card. Yasuhiko Ichihashi told the AP that “Toyota was only hoping for an overall recovery for the U.S. auto industry, including GM.” Mr. Rising Tide Lifts All Boats (a.k.a. We’re All In This Together-san) said what’s bad for the U.S. auto business is bad for Toyota, as they share parts-makers. (A popular meme amongst the Bailout Buffet crowd.) What’s more, Ichihashi reckons GM’s collapse would depress “consumer sentiment.” GM’s filed for C11, I’m too bummed to buy a Toyota? Huh. Not mentioned: GM sets the floor for U.S. car prices and quality. If The General takes a powder, Toyota’s prices will fall, profits will sink and quality would have to rise. Honda had nothing to say about yesterday’s bloodletting, but previously, on “who wants to enlarge its U.S. market share,” HoMoCo president Takeo Fukui noted, “[it] has been a rare exception among Japanese auto executives in acknowledging publicly that weaker competition could in the long run present an advantage for Honda.” Ya think?
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I don't know about Honda and Toyota, but I'd like to see Mazda and Subaru thrive. So I guess the sooner GM is six feet under, the better. A long, drawn out GM death would really benefit Ford. But it'd be best for everyone if GM were restructured quickly. My fear is that Obama allows bankruptcy and/or subsidies to drag out Delphi-style - to the point where the make of car you buy becomes much more political.
It's cheap for Toyota to appear as a concerned and patient team player. Their business continuity and supplier failure/support plan is all ready to roll.