Rival automakers expect to gain from Toyota's pain

"No gain without Toyota's pain", Not only for rival automakers but also Global Media !!!

Toyota will make a come back. I think it is Japan bashing actually.

It's not Japan bashing. It's Toyota bashing. But one can't help saying Japan bashing because some Americans don't like Toyota because it is a foreign car. It would be more acceptable as Toyota bashing because of quality differences between auto makers.

Homer Benavides said, “Toyota has made millions of vehicles, and millions of people are driving them, but if you are the fraction of one percent to have a problem, you don’t want to be that one person,” he said. “I do like Toyota, but safety is first and foremost.”

I believe that Toyota and all auto makers do put "safety first and foremost" when it comes to making cars.

I buy a car because of features and quality. I don't believe in a perfect car and a car free of recalls. I would buy the next to perfect record of quality and that would be a Toyota or Honda if I was in the market for a car. The Toyota recalls at this time does not dissuade me from buying a Toyota car. I have more faith in Toyota now than ever to be a top producer of quality cars because of this recall.

The vast majority of the millions of Toyota owners are satisfied with their vehicles, and will continue to be.

I see Honda is recalling nearly half a million of their vehicles for faulty airbag inflators.

I agree - folks that have had nothing but "hassle free" experiences with Toyotas over many years will still stick by the brand, unless these problems continue to pop up (which I doubt).

I do think US manufactuers are delivering their best product ever; both in terms of quality and value, but I'm not sure they won't go back to "resting on their laurels" as they have done in the past. Great cars are built when manufactuers are forced to compete with the other guys better built cars - take away strong competition and US auto makers will go back to making dull, uninspiring models that are cheap to put together. The new Ford Taurus, Buick Lacrosse and Cadillac CTS are superb cars, and new models like the new Ford Focus look even better.

The perception of Toyota autos as being of higher quality has taken a hit. But this hit is more a repairable dent in its otherwise fine reputation.

Of course US auto makers would like to profit from Toyota`s woes.

But the truth is the competition of the Japanese auto makers is what forced their US counterparts to improve to begin with.

And while the US autos have caught up in quality, they almost always lag behind those of the Japanese manufacturers.

All the stats aside, Toyota will be back.

Those customers are now looking at Audi, Acura and Volvo.

And Mercedes, as last weeks numbers show. Mercedes has nearly outsold Lexus, the long standing champion in the US luxury market for decades.

"Dave Sargent, vice president of vehicle research at J.D. Power and Associates, said it’s unclear how long buyers will stay away from Toyota. Recalls don’t necessarily kill sales. The Ford Explorer, which was recalled in 2000 and 2001 because of tire tread separation, saw one of its best sales years ever—with 433,837 sold—in 2002."

That's because it was eventually revealed that the Japanese owned Bridgestone/Firestone tires were at fault- not Ford.

The perception of Toyota autos as being of higher quality has taken a hit. But this hit is more a repairable dent in its otherwise fine reputation.

I see the impact for Toyota much more critical as buyers purchase a car based on the story they tell themselves. Until now Toyota has been the evangelism of quality and reliability, but with prospect buyers in doubt those people start looking closer and they recognize that the king is naked.

"And while the US autos have caught up in quality, they almost always lag behind those of the Japanese manufacturers"

Yep, lagging behind a good 8 million plus as we speak.

Really now people, how can you go on continuing to criticise any of the big three knowing that Toyota has set record recall numbers on three continents in just a few months ? Are some of you really that insecure that you can't just admit it- Toyota is producing junk, and dangerous junk at that ! Maybe its time to try that GMC Terrian- Consumer Digest gave it their "Best Buy Award". I mean what does Consumer Digest know that you Toyota drivers don't ? Obviously a helluva lot !

Well, the peeps who lost faith in Toyota and changed brands will probably come back again after trying something else, suddenly remembering why they chose Toyota in the first place.

Better yet, those that have lost faith in Toyota might want to give these a try; From US News and world report-

"we’ve identified five of the best and worst new cars offered in 2010"

The best-

-Hyundai Genesis Coupe

-Ford Transit Connect The all-new Ford Transit Connect may be the best thing that’s happened to small businesses since QuickBooks. This workman’s van provides a whopping 135 cubic feet of cargo space, an impressive city/highway fuel economy of 22/25 mpg, and loads of business-friendly features. These include an available in-car computer system that uses 2G and 3G networks to access records and track fleet activity. The Transit Connect is so well-liked that it was recently voted North American Truck of the Year.

-Mercedes-Benz E-Class

-GMC Terrain The newly-introduced GMC Terrain adds one heck of a value package to the class of affordable compact SUVs. It shares its mechanical elements with the Chevrolet Equinox, but provides a bolder exterior design and loads of snazzy yet practical interior features. Among them is a standard rearview camera, an iPod interface and a sliding rear seat. Best of all, the Terrain affords excellent fuel economy and even leads its class with a highway fuel economy rating of 32 mpg.

-Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon

Imagine that- Ford and GM right up there with Mercedes and Cadillac ! Sorry Toyota- nowhere to be found in the "best" category.

Time for Honda to take Toyota's place. I've always loved Hondas more anyway. Their Integra series continue to be the best looking and performing cars.

Thank you for the commercials, Branded, but actually - no thank you.

the cars are not safe! simple as that. theres still Honda & Nissan,Mitsubishi & many other JP products like SONY. I drive a HONDA & like them. if it was chevy OR Ford, VW, Hyundai it would be the same thing.

As much as I dislike Toyota, I would never buy an American car. A car that may need to be recalled vs some plastic piece of junk that will fall apart in a few years.

Boo hoo hoo! My crocodile tears can not stop flowing from my eyes for poor Toyota?? Thank the gods I drive a NISSAN!

The 758- Have you seen the new Chevys and Fords? They're nothing but good quality cars. GM and Ford are closing the gap with Toyota.

“Ford quality can’t be beat by Honda or Toyota.” - The customers will be the judge of that.

Other non-U. S. automakers should be just as worried that the U. S. government under Democrat Party control will be just as eager to pounce on other big name Japanese and Korean automakers same as it is with Toyota. Possibly Ford should be wary, as well, since it did not submit to Obama's plans to have itself restructured and come under U. S. government control.