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What's Wrong With This Picture: Japan's Production Problem Edition
by
Edward Niedermeyer
(IC: employee)
The Detroit Free Press reports, almost giddily, that GM will almost certainly replace Toyota as the world’s largest automaker by volume this year, as tsunami-related production problems will continue to plague the Japanese automaker. The graph above, by IHS Global Insight [via AutoObserver], shows that the impacts of the tsunami will continue to be felt well into next year, and that Japanese production will likely fall permanently by around 15%. Toyota’s full-year production could be cut by around 20%, possibly bumping the automaker to the third position in the global volume race, after GM and VW.
Edward Niedermeyer
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Published April 23rd, 2011 12:12 PM
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"DETROIT -- General Motors is almost certain to claim the title of world's biggest automaker this year, retaking the top spot from Toyota, which has been hurt by production problems since the Japanese earthquake and still can't escape the shadow of major safety recalls." Instead of commenting the The Detroit Frrep is giddy, why don't you say "we at TTAC sadly.."? Just a thought.
Maybe, temporarily they might gain, but if the quality isn't these drivers will trade their Chevy's in for Toyotas and GM is right back where they were, on the down side. Even worse off because more folks are soured on the product.
Regaining the number one position because your competitor lost production due to a natural disaster is hardly a reason to celebrate...even for GM...
I don't agree at all that Toyota will lose most of their US customers. I believe brand loyalty still counts for something. The doomsayers also predicted this after Toyota's previous, very considerable quality troubles. I believe that 40 years of goodwill won't simply evaporate, but will erode gradually. If loyal customers simply can't get cars at all, that's a different story.