06-14-2007, 10:49 AM
Well, lets look at it from Toyota's perspective. If they aren't already, they will be the worlds No. 1 automaker sometime this year. They have generated skyrocketing profits, they are market leaders virtually on every continent, and if it means a damn thing, they are the world's current leader of hybrid technology. (And the lauded Mazda is trying to catch up in that segment).
All of that without a sports car of any kind.
Now, seemingly content with their achievement of world domination, they seem to be getting their feet wet in the sports/performance car market with various upcoming offerings, which, in the case of the FT-HS and IS-F, are slated for production. (And you don't put two concepts out on the 'ring for nothing, so thats coming too)
Sport sedans: BMW M5, Audi RS4, C63 AMG, Caddy CTS-V, Lexus IS-F
Sport coupes: Chevy Corvette, Porsche Boxster/Cayman, Nissan 350Z, tons more, Toyota FT-HS
Luxury GT/Supercars: Aston Martin DBS, Porsche 911 Turbo, Ferrari 599/612, AMG SL, Lexus LF-A
So its not like they aren't at least trying. Sure, they are years late, they completely ignored pleas from American Toyota execs for a new sports car, and you might find that their future offerings suck. No, they don't have a 20k dollar Miata fighter, for reasons beyond me so I can only assume that they are infantile retards for refusing to build something light, fun, and cheap.
But thats business. Toyota has perhaps realized that the life of the sports car may soon come to an end among emissions and crash safety regulations, and maybe they have swiftly jumped a decade ahead of the game to ensure their continued automotive dominance in a world of rolling appliances. They may have lost anyone who cares about automotive performance, but they'll be lining their coffers for some time to come.
My point, again, is that I'm glad they seem to be at least dabbling with sports/performance cars once again. Its something. I like Toyota for the very cars you mentioned that have since come and gone, so I'm very interested in their future with these cars. But if they fail and Toyota blames everyone else but themselves, we can go firebomb their dealer's lots of Priuseseses together :wink:
All of that without a sports car of any kind.
Now, seemingly content with their achievement of world domination, they seem to be getting their feet wet in the sports/performance car market with various upcoming offerings, which, in the case of the FT-HS and IS-F, are slated for production. (And you don't put two concepts out on the 'ring for nothing, so thats coming too)
Sport sedans: BMW M5, Audi RS4, C63 AMG, Caddy CTS-V, Lexus IS-F
Sport coupes: Chevy Corvette, Porsche Boxster/Cayman, Nissan 350Z, tons more, Toyota FT-HS
Luxury GT/Supercars: Aston Martin DBS, Porsche 911 Turbo, Ferrari 599/612, AMG SL, Lexus LF-A
So its not like they aren't at least trying. Sure, they are years late, they completely ignored pleas from American Toyota execs for a new sports car, and you might find that their future offerings suck. No, they don't have a 20k dollar Miata fighter, for reasons beyond me so I can only assume that they are infantile retards for refusing to build something light, fun, and cheap.
But thats business. Toyota has perhaps realized that the life of the sports car may soon come to an end among emissions and crash safety regulations, and maybe they have swiftly jumped a decade ahead of the game to ensure their continued automotive dominance in a world of rolling appliances. They may have lost anyone who cares about automotive performance, but they'll be lining their coffers for some time to come.
My point, again, is that I'm glad they seem to be at least dabbling with sports/performance cars once again. Its something. I like Toyota for the very cars you mentioned that have since come and gone, so I'm very interested in their future with these cars. But if they fail and Toyota blames everyone else but themselves, we can go firebomb their dealer's lots of Priuseseses together :wink:
Current: '20 Kia Stinger GT2 RWD | '20 Yamaha R3 | '04 Lexus IS300 SD
Past: '94 Mazda RX-7 | '04 Lexus IS300 (RIP) | '00 Jeep XJ | '99 Mazda 10AE Miata | '88 Toyota Supra Turbo
My MM Movies - Watch Them Here
Past: '94 Mazda RX-7 | '04 Lexus IS300 (RIP) | '00 Jeep XJ | '99 Mazda 10AE Miata | '88 Toyota Supra Turbo
My MM Movies - Watch Them Here