04-16-2007, 09:11 PM
the Tundra's biggest problem in really breaking into the full size market is partly the offering, no where near the options (dually, diesel, 4 door short and long bed and the list goes on) of the Chevy/Ford. Also, you are talking about a blindly loyal group.
Someone said the gap between American and Japanese is closing...I agree, a little different though.... Toyota will outsell Ford by the end of the year for the #2 spot worldwide. That's the only gap I see closing.
To address building cars here...one of the biggest complaints is that the displaced GM Ford employees that get jobs in the Toyota plants are paid about half the salary, or, more in line with the skills necessary. Ever been to an assembly plant? Not hard work, mechanics work harder, and it is all figured out for you. Also, it is mainly the legacy costs that are killing the US makers..they have more retirees than employees who have complete retirement and pay NOTHING in health. So for the time, the Japanese guys enjoy a pretty powerful bargaining position and hence, cost advantages.
And maybe that's the way a 30-40 year employee should be treated, but we have proven through the success of Wal Mart that we buy the cheapest thing that will meet our needs. We won't pay extra so some stranger can have health care.
Someone said the gap between American and Japanese is closing...I agree, a little different though.... Toyota will outsell Ford by the end of the year for the #2 spot worldwide. That's the only gap I see closing.
To address building cars here...one of the biggest complaints is that the displaced GM Ford employees that get jobs in the Toyota plants are paid about half the salary, or, more in line with the skills necessary. Ever been to an assembly plant? Not hard work, mechanics work harder, and it is all figured out for you. Also, it is mainly the legacy costs that are killing the US makers..they have more retirees than employees who have complete retirement and pay NOTHING in health. So for the time, the Japanese guys enjoy a pretty powerful bargaining position and hence, cost advantages.
And maybe that's the way a 30-40 year employee should be treated, but we have proven through the success of Wal Mart that we buy the cheapest thing that will meet our needs. We won't pay extra so some stranger can have health care.
Current: 1985 LS1 Corvette | 2014 328i Wagon F31
Former: 2010 Ford Edge | 1999 Integra GS
I have a little bit of a rub near lock but if you are turned to lock on a track there are other problems already...
Former: 2010 Ford Edge | 1999 Integra GS
I have a little bit of a rub near lock but if you are turned to lock on a track there are other problems already...