Toyota Overtakes GM in Global Vehicle Sales

[00accord44]

VW's product is good enough to compete on Toyota's level but if they're looking to match Toyota sales volume then they have their work cut out for them. American auto tastes are steady if not stubborn, and I think VW definitely has the lineup to suit the needs of most americans. But one of their problems is that they have no real niche in the US that draws us into showrooms. In the 80s and 90s, Japanese companies made definite names for themselves here while VW was still riding the image of "the peoples car" from the 70s. As a result Toyota and Honda established a stronghold on the market for affordable, dependable, small and family vehicles and VWs (which are also all of these things) missed the beginning of the party and now everybody's already gained loyalty to one of the Japanese makes and its VWs job to convert them.

[Jimster]

One thing that annoyed me was the chopping of the Oldsmobile brand. As far as I am aware, the division sales were higher than Saturn and Buick when they were axed and the designs were brilliant, the first American car shape I fell in love with pos-fuel crisis was that of the Aurora (The facelifted one). They should have just killed the Bravada/Silhouette and then chopped Buick (No matter where bnaylors sensibilities lie ).

[sickcallawayc12]

Originally Posted by 00accord44

and its VWs job to convert them.

Maybe if the R32 was a few grand less (would draw me into a VW showroom pretty quick)

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Jimster

One thing that annoyed me was the chopping of the Oldsmobile brand. As far as I am aware, the division sales were higher than Saturn and Buick when they were axed and the designs were brilliant, the first American car shape I fell in love with pos-fuel crisis was that of the Aurora (The facelifted one). They should have just killed the Bravada/Silhouette and then chopped Buick (No matter where bnaylors sensibilities lie ).

I can't disagree there. Oldsmobile had a great history of 106 years and it was sad to see it go. However, the sales figures were down quite a bit from the old days just going back over 20 years. At the end of 1985 Oldsmobile sold 1,066,122 units, 6.9% market share. At the end of 2000 those sales figures were at 263,878 units, 1.6% market share at which time the GM bosses made the decision to axe Olds.

Unless you have data otherwise I don't recall combined Buick sales ever that low. BTW - At the time I thought my Buick purchases were very sensible. Still on the road today, little or no problems and they are paid for. However, I seriously doubt I'll ever consider purchasing another Buick or American car. Seriously looking at the Infinity M35/M45. And if I get a Toyota it would be a Lexus.

For annecdotal info the actual phaseout of Olds models was conducted on the following schedule:

-Late 2001: The 2002 Bravada becomes the company's last new model
-June 2002: production ends for Intrigue and the Aurora V-6 sedans
-May 2003: Aurora V-8 sedan
-January 2004: Bravada sports utility vehicle
-March 2004: Silhouette minivan
-April 2004: Alero compact car

But it history now. No need crying over spilled milk.

[00accord44]

I think the death of Oldsmobile had less to do with sales and more to do with direction. Like Jimster said, there were (are) a million badges with no particular identity. Oldsmobile had no discernable target market even if sales were better than that of Buick. General consensus is that Buicks are for the Early Bird dinner market... and bnaylor. Saturn was the econodivision but I'm not really sure what they're trying to be now. Pontiac is for the younger set.

Oldsmobiles from 1990-04 were for who??? Designs appealed to the young, dimensions appealed to the old. Prices too high for entry level buyers, but perfect for midle aged buyers who don't wanna accelerate their age by driving an Olds, and the older people who are interested were already at the Cadillac dealer

[BNaylor]

Just a FYI but it looks like everyone is having problems in the U.S.

Toyota sales fell 4% in April
May 1, 2007
By JOE GUY COLLIER
DETROIT FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER

Toyota Motor Corp.’s U.S. sales fell 4% in April to 210,457 – the growing automaker’s first monthly decline in almost 2 years.

For the first time since May 2005, Toyota sold fewer vehicles in the United States in a calendar month than it did a year earlier, spokesman Xavier Dominicis said in an interview.

Nissan Motor Co. reported U.S. sales in April of 71,124 vehicles, down 18% from the same month last year. Sales for the Nissan brand were down 21% to 61,179 vehicles. Sales of Infiniti, Nissan’s luxury brand, creeped up 3% to 9,945.

Honda Motor Co. sales fell 9% in April to 126,419 vehicles. Accord sales declined 7% to 29,244 while Civic sales were up 2% to 32,010 vehicles.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...01045/0/NEWS02

[03cavPA]

Well, I'm not planning on buying ANY new vehicles from anybody in the foreseeable future.

All the vehicles I presently own are made by US companies. I plan to drive them until they are no longer economical to maintain. No Japan bashing involved, just plain old dollars and cents.

[BNaylor]

The recent news was surprising about Dr Z selling off at least 80% of Chrysler to a private equity firm Cerberus. First deal I heard of where it involved a transaction of DaimlerChrysler AG paying the private equity firm to buy Chrysler and at a big loss.

Is the writing on the wall for Chrysler or will this deal eventually succeed or make a difference?

Chrysler has the same problems like GM in the area of unions, health care and pension costs.

FRANKFURT/DETROIT (Reuters) - DaimlerChrysler AG shed most of its stake in the money-losing Chrysler Group by agreeing to pay a $1.55 billion sweetener to clinch a deal for a private equity firm to take over the U.S. automaker.

http://www.reuters.com/article/busin...31243120070514

[Jimster]

Chrysler are all set to follow MG Rover/Land Rover. Chrysler and Dodge confined to the shredder, Jeep sold off to (Insert brand here)

[taranaki]

As far as I know, Toyota is 100% owned by a car manufacturing company and has design and manufacturing input into every vehicle sold under its badge.

Can GM say the same?