Tekknikal
08-06-2009, 11:59 AM
below ive put together some comments from toyota's highest levels of management that i've been seeing on the feeds. the press isnt saying a lot, but i cant help but notice all these tidbits. i think the message is clear and you can see for yourself:
According to a report by the Associated Press, Akio Toyoda, the newly installed CEO of Toyota, confirmed that the company will go ahead with plans to build a sportscar in collaboration with Subaru.
"I am very excited about it and I plan to fast-track it," Toyoda said.
Toyoda also told an audience at a management seminar in Traverse City, MI that he feels as though the company is at a new beginning that requires a new way of thinking.
"I want to see Toyota build cars that are fun and exciting to drive," he said.
source (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32298586/ns/business/)
Newly installed President of Toyota Motor Corporation, Akio Toyoda, outlined his plans for recovery in his first major speech yesterday. Although he gave no specific details, his tried to set the overall tone for the company's recovery.
He emphasized two main points. First, he wants to create a product-focused management. "Rather than asking, 'How many cars will we sell?' or, 'How much money will we make by selling these cars?' we need to ask ourselves, 'What kind of cars will make people happy?' as well as, 'What pricing will attract them in each region?' Then we must make those cars," Toyoda said.
source (http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightline/2009/06/toyoda-outlines-his-plans-for-toyota.html)
Yoshimi Inaba, the new head of Toyota's North American operations under Akio Toyoda , is taking a hard look at the Toyota, Scion and Lexus brands in the United States
"I'll be careful to choose my words," Inaba chuckled to reporters today, "but I can see standing on the sidelines that there is not enough excitement in our vehicles."
source (http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightline/2009/07/are-more-exciting-toyotas-in-the-pipeline.html)
Toyoda is a big fan of driving and sports cars. He has personally driven the LF-A in competition.
So what will this mean for the company? Well I think the 086a is coming VERY soon. In fact, I think we may see something in 4months at the Tokyo Motor Show. I also think the LF-A is coming VERY soon, also in 4 months.
But, with a <$20,000 car and a $300,000+ car there's a big gap in between.
Will there be a new Supra? I highly doubt it. As much as no one will want to hear me say it, the industry has moved past that, for better or worse. I think Toyota will hold the IS-F in place and I would not be surprised to see a ~400hp hybrid sports car in the $50k segment. They call it the FT-HS concept. To be sure though,I dont expect that to happen soon.
The other question, of course, is how will their Japanese competitors respond? Nissan is doing well with the Z and GT-R. It's been said that neither Toyota nor Honda can compete with the latter, although rumor has it that that both companies may attempt to slot above the Z. The talk is that Honda is preparing a 450hp V6 AWD car which, if true would go head to head with the FT-HS that Toyota is rumored to be making.
I'm not sure I buy either rumor 100% though. Regardless, for now it appears that Toyota will once be in the sports car game. Kinda.
According to a report by the Associated Press, Akio Toyoda, the newly installed CEO of Toyota, confirmed that the company will go ahead with plans to build a sportscar in collaboration with Subaru.
"I am very excited about it and I plan to fast-track it," Toyoda said.
Toyoda also told an audience at a management seminar in Traverse City, MI that he feels as though the company is at a new beginning that requires a new way of thinking.
"I want to see Toyota build cars that are fun and exciting to drive," he said.
source (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32298586/ns/business/)
Newly installed President of Toyota Motor Corporation, Akio Toyoda, outlined his plans for recovery in his first major speech yesterday. Although he gave no specific details, his tried to set the overall tone for the company's recovery.
He emphasized two main points. First, he wants to create a product-focused management. "Rather than asking, 'How many cars will we sell?' or, 'How much money will we make by selling these cars?' we need to ask ourselves, 'What kind of cars will make people happy?' as well as, 'What pricing will attract them in each region?' Then we must make those cars," Toyoda said.
source (http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightline/2009/06/toyoda-outlines-his-plans-for-toyota.html)
Yoshimi Inaba, the new head of Toyota's North American operations under Akio Toyoda , is taking a hard look at the Toyota, Scion and Lexus brands in the United States
"I'll be careful to choose my words," Inaba chuckled to reporters today, "but I can see standing on the sidelines that there is not enough excitement in our vehicles."
source (http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightline/2009/07/are-more-exciting-toyotas-in-the-pipeline.html)
Toyoda is a big fan of driving and sports cars. He has personally driven the LF-A in competition.
So what will this mean for the company? Well I think the 086a is coming VERY soon. In fact, I think we may see something in 4months at the Tokyo Motor Show. I also think the LF-A is coming VERY soon, also in 4 months.
But, with a <$20,000 car and a $300,000+ car there's a big gap in between.
Will there be a new Supra? I highly doubt it. As much as no one will want to hear me say it, the industry has moved past that, for better or worse. I think Toyota will hold the IS-F in place and I would not be surprised to see a ~400hp hybrid sports car in the $50k segment. They call it the FT-HS concept. To be sure though,I dont expect that to happen soon.
The other question, of course, is how will their Japanese competitors respond? Nissan is doing well with the Z and GT-R. It's been said that neither Toyota nor Honda can compete with the latter, although rumor has it that that both companies may attempt to slot above the Z. The talk is that Honda is preparing a 450hp V6 AWD car which, if true would go head to head with the FT-HS that Toyota is rumored to be making.
I'm not sure I buy either rumor 100% though. Regardless, for now it appears that Toyota will once be in the sports car game. Kinda.