Toyota uses Ford Trucks to produce their commercials :).

[NTIman]

I think the American companies are bringing back the quality quicker then the Japanese companies can advance their products. Its seems to me that he gap is closing rapidly and its only a matter of time before people begin to realize that the "OMG TOYOTA, (NISSAN, MAZDA, HONDA, whatever) QUALITY!" does not mean as much as it did not even 5 years ago.

Agreed

And another thing, as sad as it sounds, Japanese companies' American built products blow in comparison to their Japanese built counterparts.

They are making the same mistakes that American companies have been making for years, trying to put quantity before quality. You can only ride "American made" for so long.

[Jeff]

I think the American companies are bringing back the quality quicker then the Japanese companies can advance their products. Its seems to me that he gap is closing rapidly and its only a matter of time before people begin to realize that the "OMG TOYOTA, (NISSAN, MAZDA, HONDA, whatever) QUALITY!" does not mean as much as it did not even 5 years ago.

Agreed

And another thing, as sad as it sounds, Japanese companies' American built products blow in comparison to their Japanese built counterparts.

They are making the same mistakes that American companies have been making for years, trying to put quantity before quality. You can only ride "American made" for so long.

Toyota is discovering the same thing that DCX, Ford, and the General have known for years. This is why "My Toyota was made in American" can be only said for a few models. Its prohibitively expensive to build cars here. To build cars in America a car company must cut costs elsewhere to make up for the ridiculous pay rates and benefits demanded by the unions. Also, American employees are not as dedicated to quality as others. So you end up with a car that costs more to build that has lesser quality for a number of reasons all related to the place of manufacture.

I never had a problem from my Mexican assembled, Japanese powered, "American" Chrysler Sebring...and the Canadian made interior was comfy to...

[Steve85]

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.

[.RJ]

I'm either buying a new Tacoma or F150 at the end of the year... I guess I'll decide which one I like better after some test drives and see how they're optioned. I've been very happy with the F150 I have now... both have their benefits and pricing is similar.