Toyota buyer loyalty slips in U.S. market - study

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Reuters

DETROIT, May 13 (Reuters) - Toyota's safety recall crisis has helped topple it as the reining automaker in terms of U.S. customer loyalty, allowing Honda and Ford to leapfrog to the top spots, Consumer Reports said on Thursday.

An April survey by the nonprofit publication showed that 57 percent of current Toyota owners would "most likely" buy another new vehicle from Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T), down from 70 percent in a December survey.

The result suggests that the top global automaker could face pressure to extend costly sales incentives to win back U.S. consumers and prevent its market share from slipping.

More than half of consumers surveyed said the "overall reputation" of an auto brand was the leading factor in their choice of a new car, Consumer Reports said.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1317399820100513

[still_one]

1. All that might be true, however they still reported a full-year profit of 2.26 billion

and even though they have significant legal challenges ahead, stories about the end of Toyota a greatly exagerated


http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2010/05/12/toyotas-latest-blowout.aspx


"On Tuesday, Toyota reported borderline surreal results for its full fiscal year, which ended in March. While net revenues fell 7.7%, the company posted a full-year profit of 209 billion yen ($2.26 billion), up from a loss of 437 billion yen ($4.73 billion) in the year prior.

And for the most recent quarter? A quarter that saw sharp sales declines in the U.S. market? A mere 112 billion yen profit, up from a 765.8 billion yen loss in the first quarter of 2009. In dollar terms, that's a $1.2 billion profit, up from a whopping $8.29 billion loss.

All things considered, that's an impressive"

[Omaha Steve]

6. So they might be spending a full 3 years profit on just this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4379603

[still_one]

10. Who knows what the final amount will be, the only point I was making that even with this

it appears that Toyota is strong enough to withstand it

After years of GM and Chrysler fighting the government fuel standards, they are finally doing it right. If they had diversified their car lines, and increased their MPG years ago, they would not have been going through such pain

Ford is the best example of an American automobile manufacturer doing it right

The real tragedy is that it isn't the upper management that is suffering, but the production worker, and dealers

[Walk away]

2. I have a 2005 Rav4 and if I needed a new car I would buy a Toyota.

The deals are great and I believe, going forward, they are going to bend over backwards to make sure their cars are safe and they recall any problems (all cars have them) right away.

I love my car and it runs like a top.

[depakid]

5. When Toyota bloated and softened up the Rav's, they lost my potential business

Bought a Suzuki Jimny instead. Better mileage and performance plus a reputation for being "hard to kill."

I would have loved to have tricked out one of the older models RAV's with similar curb weights and less electronics to break, but after looking for months, it was obvious that:

A: Not many people were selling theirs; and

B: The few that came up were priced at a hefty premium.

That said, newer models Rav's are still very popular here.

Since you can't get Jimny's in the states, I guess a photo is in order (looks a bit bigger than it is):

[Walk away]

8. My Rav4 is the last year they made the small ones.

I don't really like the new big version either. That Jimny looks pretty cool. I had a two door Rav that was built in the nineties that was really fun to drive but my '05 five speed with the back seat removed is perfect for my needs (and dogs). I am not sure what I would buy from them today but it's a moot point since I don't need a new car.

[depakid]

9. From what I've seen and heard, you won't need a new one anytime soon, either

Neighbor's got a 98 and it just keeps tooling right along with only standard maintenance. Been thinking about removing the back seats, too for extra space.

We see those Rav 4's on the beaches and off the bitumen from time to time, and they seem to do alright. The independent suspension is no doubt a sweeter ride.

[elocs]

3. I own a 2006 Scion and I'd certainly buy another Toyota. n/t

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. "Reigning" NOT "reining" !!!!!!!!

Are they outsourcing their news stories????


Sigh..pet peeve.

[icee]

7. I own a 2006 Tacoma. I buy only Toyotas.

[Omaha Steve]

11. Many current Toyota owners stand to gain from the devaluation class action suits

You just have to file and wait a few years for a check.