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Toyota grabs sales lead from GM in first quarter

TOM KRISHNER

The Associated Press

Latest comment posted at 8:17 PM EST 23/04/08

Detroit auto maker's global sales up almost 1 per cent, but Japanese rival sees 2.7-per-cent gain ...Read the full article

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  1. Johnny Canuck from Canada writes: Why anyone would buy a new car today when low milage used cars are 1/2 the price is beyond me. Especially buy a over priced Japanese car. Life is good. Money grows on trees.
  2. Robin of the Hood from hammatown, Canada writes: Johnny Canuck,

    I agree. You can a used low milage(8 000 - 10 000Km) 2005 corolla for ~12K. A new Corolla will run you about 21K after you include freight and taxes.
  3. Paul G from Toronto, Canada writes: "Johnny Canuck from Canada writes: Why anyone would buy a new car today when low milage used cars are 1/2 the price is beyond me."

    I used to hear that pitch 14 years ago from my boss after I bought my brand new GMC pick-up. So he went out and bought a 4 year old Pathfinder from a Nissan dealer. It soon developed many problems and he found he had no warranty because there were already warranty claims for work done when it had a higher odometer reading. So then he faulted the warranty system. He didn't drive it more than 3 years.

    I still get compliments about my GMC pick-up. Going out to wash all the winter salt and crud off it today.
    ...
  4. Johnny Canuck from Canada writes: (Paul G .) That was then. This is now. Would you pay $21,000 for a new Toyota Yarris?
  5. North of the Border from Canada writes: I love the sticker "Out of a job yet? Keep buying foreign.". Anyone know where I can get a sticker "Broke down by the side of the road yet? Keep buying domestic."? I have a Dodge which I've grown to hate. Recently in an accident I had the misfortune to have 2 GM rentals. Just wondering if GM has large stakes in the oil and gas sector? Domestic vehicles seem to... well... suck. I'm looking this summer and it'll likely be Toyota.
  6. Paul G from Toronto, Canada writes: What is a Toyota Yarris?

    If I had a dime for everyone who said how much better a Jap import was than a domestic car then found out they have problems too then I would own a resort on some Carribean island where driving would be the furthest thing from my mind.
    ...
  7. CallofDuty . from Toronto, Canada writes: It's easy why Toyota is gaining. They just last forever. Ask anyone, they would have probably owned or know someone who owns a Toyota/Honda/Nissan/etc. American sucks, live with it. Car industry is going the way of the electronic industry is. Korean and Japanese.
  8. Freddie B from Woodbridge from Canada writes: Drove my 2004 chevy with 84,000 km on Saturday and the outer tie rod end fell off.
    Cost me a tow, alignment and labour to repair. Had to fight like crazy to get the part coverred under goodwill.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Wasn't just loose, actually came off!!! Lost controll of steering, but GM did say sorry. Everything is all better now.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Engine ticks loudly, but they don't feel it worth exploring the cause by taking engine apart. Gave my dealer a bad rating on customer survey re previous warranty work and the dealer called and gave me crap. Number 2, GM will be lucky to be number 3 soon.

    To the Japanese bashers, you are probably some kind of union worker with a huge mental block in your brain. Hondas and Toyotas are not regulars in the repair shop.
  9. Offshore Reg from Bridgetown, Barbados writes: Paul G: Im on a caribbean island and the place is lousy with japanese vehicles. Funny though, the repair garages are so busy you have to book appointments to have your vehicle repaired; strange given that according to GM thread experts japanese vehicles are so well manufactured that they never have problems. Oh, yeah, except for my brother's brand spanking new 45K Maxima which has spent more time in the dealership garage since he bought it at Christmas than it has in his driveway. On the other hand, my Buick and PT in Canada run just fine, as did my Kcar in the 80's, just like the Peugeot here.
  10. Johnny Canuck from Canada writes: There isn't a car made today the won't go 300,000km with out major troubles and most go 500,000km without major trouble. Yet people trade their Toyotos, Volvos, Mercedes, Cavaliers, Impalas, Jeeps, BMW's in with hardly 150,000 kms on them. Many only 70,000km on them. So all cars today are good cars. High prices don't neccessarily mean you are getting much better, if better at all, quality.
  11. Freddie B from Woodbridge from Canada writes: Offshore Reg from Bridgetown, Barbados writes: Paul G: Im on a caribbean island and the place is lousy with japanese vehicles. Funny though, the repair garages are so busy you have to book appointments to have your vehicle repaired;
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The cars down there are usually used cars that are auctioned off and have had the crap run out of them before going down there. And BTW how are the roads down there? Do the locals maintain the cars regularly? Is the gas the same quality? Go back to your coffee break or strike vote or what ever it is the union boss wants you to do!!!!! You have one example of a bad Japanese car and you think the million poorly produced NA cars are meaningless!!!
  12. Howard Young from Canada writes: No car is free of problems, but I will say that I've owned 3 Japanese name brand cars (one built in Ontario, one built in the USA and one built in Japan) and I can say that I've never had a single problem with them. There's normal wear and tear stuff that you always have to replace, but other than that, nada.

    Can anyone explain to me why you see Chrysler, Ford or GM cars that are no more than 2 years old with burned out tail or headlights?

    I drove a brand new Civic for 7 years and the only thing on it that wasn't original equipment from the factory when I traded it in were the tires, brakes, disks/drums, muffler, windshield wipers, oil filter and all fluids. I paid just under $15K for it back in 93 and received $6.5K when I traded it in (on account of lower mileage and being in mint condition).

    By the way, not all Japanese brands are equal (i.e. Mazda, Susuzki, etc.)
  13. Howard Young from Canada writes: Oh and it wasn't the original air filter either, but you get my point.
  14. Paul G from Toronto, Canada writes: "Johnny Canuck from Canada writes: There isn't a car made today the won't go 300,000km with out major troubles and most go 500,000km without major trouble."

    What colour is the sky in your world???
    ...
  15. Offshore Reg from Bridgetown, Barbados writes: Freddie: I will pass your comments on to ta couple of the dealers here whom I know and who are hardly small time operations by any standard and are probably larger than what you have in little Woodbridge. (any dealers there have their own Challenger? Thought not. They will be pleased to to know that the vehicles in their showrooms are "usually actioned yadaya...", a load of rubbish (another GM expert). You have no idea what you are talking about. Check the Simpson Motors site for a start. Dufus
  16. Offshore Reg from Bridgetown, Barbados writes: and Freddie...the roads? glad you asked......divided highways...just like you people at the centre of the universe....send your email Ill send you some pics.
  17. Freddie B from Woodbridge from Canada writes: Offshore Reg from Bridgetown, Barbados writes: Freddie: I will pass your comments on to ta couple of the dealers here whom I know and who are hardly small time operations by any standard and are probably larger than what you have in little Woodbridge. (any dealers there have their own Challenger? Thought not. They will be pleased to to know that the vehicles in their showrooms are "usually actioned yadaya...", a load of rubbish (another GM expert). You have no idea what you are talking about. Check the Simpson Motors site for a start. Dufus
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Typical of a union bum. All lies!!! Ever been to Woodbridge you m0r0n.
    BUY JAPANESE!!
  18. Offshore Reg from Bridgetown, Barbados writes: Witty Freddie, very witty. Enough time in the sandbox with children, some of us actually work for a living. You have a lovely day Fred lad. Im sure you have another 100 or so posts on 50 other topics before your day is done. Ta Ta
  19. P Martin from St. John's, Canada writes: Toyota is the car that I currently have. My family have been buying Toyota cars for over 20 years. That is about 10 vehicles in that time and no problems with any of them yet. With the exception of oil changes, tire changes and regular vehicle maintenance there have been no problems.
  20. B to the A to the R to the T from the left coast, Canada writes: I had a 2000 Toyota Tacoma a year ago, I mistakingly sold it. Lesson learned. My three week old Toyota Prius was a needed welcome back into the Toyota fold. The unions and GM management have created a cumbersome non-inspiring company that follows more than innovates.
  21. Borys Nijinski from Canada writes: Where is Vern in all of this...surely he has an opinion.
  22. Mr. Reilly from canukistan, writes: GM = Got Money: Because you need a lot of it to keep the junk on the road.
  23. Brent Wilkins from Canada writes: Toyotas are no better than GMs nowadays. They are just riding on the perception of quality that they built over the last decade.

    I will continue to buy highly depreciated used domestics.

    My Impala has over 250k kms on it without major problems.
  24. Tim Cares from Canada writes: P Martin from St. John's, Canada writes: Toyota is the car that I currently have. My family have been buying Toyota cars for over 20 years. That is about 10 vehicles in that time and no problems with any of them yet. With the exception of oil changes, tire changes and regular vehicle maintenance there have been no problems....

    What is "regular maintenance"? And if you have bought 10 cars in 20 years, how long do you keep each of them for?
  25. Alonso Garnet from Canada writes: Tim Cares, regular mainenance is an oil change every 5,000 kms, tires after 80,000 km's and maybe changing transmission oil and collant periodlically. Plus you might assume the exahaust and battery has to be changed. Plus the guy said his FAMILY has bought Toyotas for 20 years (ie. multiple buyers). Did you read his post?
  26. C. O. from Toronto, Canada writes: I just bought a Saturn Astra and am really liking it a lot.

    I had a great experience with the dealer on the Hamilton mountain.

    I just laught at all the lemming posts bashing GM cars...if you buy used you get what you pay for and EVEN brand new Toyota's can be lemons..it happens.
  27. Howard Young from Canada writes: C.O., we're not discussing the incidence of getting a "lemon" when purchasing North American 3 vs. Japanse 3 cars. We're discussing overall quality and owner satisfaction. A "lemon" would be considered a statistical outlier in any event.

    Glad you like your Astra, I hope you still like it as much 5 years. All the best.

    As an aside, when I bought my first car (a Honda Civic) I purchased the extended warranty for a $1,000. I never needed to make a claim against it. I realized that it was needless given the build quality. Have never purchased an extended warranty since.
  28. Soon To Be Returning Expat from North Carolina, United States writes: I drive a 1987 Acura Legend Coupe. I bought it in Canada in 1989, drove it to NC in 1998, and have been driving here since. The biggest repairs I have had on it are an alternator, the hydraulic clutch cylinder and the left rear window motor. Not bad for a car that is 21 (probably 22) years old.

    My wife's Chrysler Town and Country (2002) has had more go wrong with it than my Acura.

    Just from my own experience (and my families) of cource I would have to think the Japanese car is better, and based on that I wouldn't buy anything else going forward.
  29. Bob from Montreal from Canada writes: Before we see too many more oozing accolades for Japanese cars, I have a 2003 Honda CR-V that's a piece of junk. More warranty repairs than any GM I've ever owned plus 3 major rear brake jobs in 80K's. Dealer service network sucks too. Toyota's I've owned have been great but no more Honda's for me.
  30. eric keuper from guelph, Canada writes: I work in the automotive parts business and quite honestly I just like cars -- all of them. Quality standards are pretty much the same Import (assembled in North America) vs. Domestic (assembled in North America), the main difference is in how each responds to potential problems. Imports will offer to work with the stuff if you admit it may not be to print whereas Domestics flip right out -- sort all this and then give me a break point, certified parts and this better happen 15 seconds ago. Hyundai impresses me more each year (but I'm sure there are millions of horror-stories out there -- remember the Pony?) right now though we drive Obsolete Domestic (2005 Jimmy) and Impestic (2005 Fordza)-- that would be a Mazda containing a goodly number of Ford components. Happy Motoring!
  31. Kristian Klima from Ottawa, Canada writes: OK, this is obvious US-import (read as US-Japanese) debate, in Europe, we have Europe - Japanese, Europe - Korean debate. Now, that makes me wonder why there's always Japan in those debates....

    Japanese cars are simply better made, more reliable and, in the long run, cheaper. But not only they surpass American manufacturers, they ahead of Europe too. I'd chooses Japanese any time of the day. Five Mazdas in my family are proof of the reliability - combined mileage is 800,000 km since 1998 - and there were NO problems. All cars were fully loaded with lots of electronic aids and gadgets that could have broken down. They never did.

    According to the TUV reliability study (TUV is the largest industrial quality audit body i the world, it's based in Germany) published in January, the most reliable car available on European markets is Mazda3 - no other car in history has achieved such a good result. Second came Mazda2.
    http://www.tuvamerica.com/tuvnews/hotnews/pressdetail.cfm?id=1391

    Sorry, but it's Japanese era.
  32. The Natrix from Toronto, Canada writes: I have a 1997 Corolla.. I think one of the best cars ever built for its purpose. Sure there's the usual electrical problem, and engine a bit sludgy, but name any other North American car of that era in that class (Neon, Sunfire, Cavaliar) that can test the time. Just basic things needed to be replaced. The American cars may have caught up in many ways, but I highly doubt that they can catch up that quick, while Toyota's rate of improvement slowed down that much.
  33. George Bishop from Fergus, Ontario, Canada writes: I like a lot of others on this item have to agree that I have never had any major problems with my older Toyota Camry, just regular maintenance, it sits outside year round and ha never failed me despite the heavy winter we just went through here in SW Ontario.
    European Cars like the ones that GM is importing from Belgium like the Astra by Saturn I have heard on the Net that they are Gas eaters! also most European cars after the first few years have many electrical problems, even the Europeans prefer Japanese vehicles!
    Consumer Reports said that reliability had slipped on redesigned versions of the V6 Camry sedan and V8 powered Tundra but overall Consumer Reports states that all Toyotas are reliable, you cant say that for GM vehicles which are almost at the bottom of there reliability chart!
  34. Gav N from Canada writes: Here are the statistics for vehicles requiring warranty work for 2006:

    Toyota 24%
    GM 20.4%
    Ford 21.5%

    As Brent Wilkins said, Toyota is now riding on the perception of quality. They made fantastic cars through the 90s but they now appear to be average at best, certainly not worth paying a premium for.
  35. C. O. from Canada writes: gawd opinions are like A**holes on this thread. Through all this personal and unsubstantiated banter final at 5:22pm Gav N puts a stat up.

    And what does it say? You're all wrong/right..all of you! PEACE citizens

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