Toyota uses Ford Trucks to produce their commercials :).

[white_2kgt]

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770223033">http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbc ... 0770223033</a><!-- m -->

bahhh, I got a kick out of that.

[HAULN-SS]

That is kind of funny - but I bet they use an ourside advertising agency to do their videos and such - they're probably the ones using fords.

[BLINGMW]

heh that is pretty funny. And a pretty big oversight for whoever made the commercial! :lol:

[WRXtranceformed]

Just because you're contracted out and doing work for Toyota doesn't necessarily mean that you have to drive a Toyota.... lol..

[Goodspeed]

Doesn't the CEO of Ford drive a Lexus?

Ford's new CEO Alan Mulally drives a Lexus LS 430, and he says he made the purchase because "it's the finest car in the world." Detroit Free Press columnist Tom Walsh says the fact alone "tells us a lot about Alan Mulally." Mulally, according to Walsh, is a realist who "knows Lexus cars are better than anything currently in Ford's lineup, and he doesn't care if Ford employees or the media hear him say it out loud."

[NTIman]

Doesn't the CEO of Ford drive a Lexus?

Ford's new CEO Alan Mulally drives a Lexus LS 430, and he says he made the purchase because "it's the finest car in the world." Detroit Free Press columnist Tom Walsh says the fact alone "tells us a lot about Alan Mulally." Mulally, according to Walsh, is a realist who "knows Lexus cars are better than anything currently in Ford's lineup, and he doesn't care if Ford employees or the media hear him say it out loud."

yeah but they're not using a lexus to put together a comercial for "fords badass luxury car"

[WRXtranceformed]

Doesn't the CEO of Ford drive a Lexus?

Ford's new CEO Alan Mulally drives a Lexus LS 430, and he says he made the purchase because "it's the finest car in the world." Detroit Free Press columnist Tom Walsh says the fact alone "tells us a lot about Alan Mulally." Mulally, according to Walsh, is a realist who "knows Lexus cars are better than anything currently in Ford's lineup, and he doesn't care if Ford employees or the media hear him say it out loud."

Lmao, how true it is! I'm surprised he's even driving a Lexus though... if I was the CEO of a big company like that I'd be ballin out in some S500 AMG or something of the like.

[WRXtranceformed]

Doesn't the CEO of Ford drive a Lexus?

Ford's new CEO Alan Mulally drives a Lexus LS 430, and he says he made the purchase because "it's the finest car in the world." Detroit Free Press columnist Tom Walsh says the fact alone "tells us a lot about Alan Mulally." Mulally, according to Walsh, is a realist who "knows Lexus cars are better than anything currently in Ford's lineup, and he doesn't care if Ford employees or the media hear him say it out loud."

yeah but they're not using a lexus to put together a comercial for "fords badass luxury car"

I'd be willing to go out on a limb to say that the CEO of a company openly saying that his product is inferior to his competitors and believes it so much that he owns one makes a larger impression than a company subcontracting out the development of their commercial and the employees of that subcontractor just happen to drive trucks of a different make. :roll:

[BLINGMW]

I'd say so too really. I'd be very careful about such a thing. Heck at every job I've had, I try to use and endorse our products. If I can't, I shouldn't be working there. I'm surprised that execs wouldn't see it that way as well as they are somewhat more high profile. Not good for customers, not good for company morale.

[Goodspeed]

Yeah it just seems like the CEO of Ford driving a Lexus and openly admitting its a better car is more damaging than some Ford trucks being used by a production company in behind the scenes footage

[PDenbigh]

We need some current proof that the Lexus deal is still going on. I know when Allan was first appointed to CEO one of his first comments was "Well, guess I'd better hurry up and get rid of that lexus!".

[BLINGMW]

I would hope so, that certainly makes more sense!

[WRXtranceformed]

This makes more sense, although I find it almost MORE ironic that he went to Japan to learn from Toyota because he admits that they make "the finest machine in the world" and have "the finest production system in the world." Guess that's what happens when you hire a new CEO for your company from an aerospace company instead of internally :lol: There's still no doubt he cancelled his order for political / career reasons, not because he genuinely thought his company delivers a better product...

"Updated: 3:19 p.m. ET Jan 4, 2007
DEARBORN, Mich. - Ford CEO Alan Mulally said he respects Toyota and its luxury brand, but that he canceled his order for a Lexus after taking the top job at the U.S. automaker. He said he traveled to Japan last month to meet with Toyota executives just to show his appreciation, and not in an effort to bring the companies any closer.

Mulally, who took over at the nationÔÇÖs No. 2 automaker last year, said Wednesday he deeply admires the Japanese automaker for its manufacturing processes and product development strategy.

Mulally called Toyota ÔÇ£the finest machine in the world, the finest production system in the world. So we went to study with the master. I really wanted to connect with each of the manufacturers in the industry and to do it quickly,ÔÇØ said Mulally, who was hired away from aircraft maker Boeing Co. by Ford Motor Co."

[PDenbigh]

Whew ;-)

Hey, if you can't beat them, join them. (Then beat them!)

From my perspective, I wouldn't call it ironic as much as I'd call it prudent and someone doing their job. And I agree with you in "that's what happens when you hire a new CEO.... instead of internally."

Hopefully he'll really do a good job with FoMoCo.

[white_2kgt]

I always found it strange that bill ford's first 05 mustang was a v6, but he said this is what we sell the most of, so I want to experience what our customers experience, I guess it doesn't hurt that he also has a FordGT in his collection...

[Steve85]

Mulally, who took over at the nationÔÇÖs No. 2 automaker last year, said Wednesday he deeply admires the Japanese automaker for its manufacturing processes and product development strategy.

Mulally called Toyota ÔÇ£the finest machine in the world, the finest production system in the world. So we went to study with the master. I really wanted to connect with each of the manufacturers in the industry and to do it quickly,ÔÇØ said Mulally, who was hired away from aircraft maker Boeing Co. by Ford Motor Co."

And Ford (and GM) is only 50 yeas too late. The inventor of TQM, predecessor to ISO and Six Sigma, had to go to Japan for work in the 50's.

The "buy american" attitude let them get away with delivering crap for years.

What that article doesn't say is that in ten years it will be mostly Tundra's on the jobsite...that jobsite will be the dismantling of Ford plants nationwide.

[PDenbigh]

What that article doesn't say is that in ten years it will be mostly Tundra's on the jobsite...that jobsite will be the dismantling of Ford plants nationwide.

I'm going to disaggree. I think the tundra thing is more of a fad than a trend. They still can't compare to the quality, strengh, feel, or usefullness of the F-150 or Silverrado. I know of a Ford dealership that currently has 5 Tundra's that were traded in on F-series trucks in the past 2 months. Noone will buy them either, so most go to auction.

I imagine you'll continue to see big steps by the "american" makers now that they have some real competition though. Toyota caught them off guard, which I think could end up being a good thing, resulting in even better trucks.

[NTIman]

At our Toyota Dealership, most people trade in F-150s and Silverados on Tacomas, rather than a Tundra.

[Feersty]

At our Toyota Dealership, most people trade in F-150s and Silverados on Tacomas, rather than a Tundra.

Probably just near your dealership. They are the fleet cars of the government and many companies that will never change.

[Jeff]

We had a Tundra on the lot at the end of last year. Guy decided he wanted an SUV, so he got a Durango. We priced the Tundra high...really high...and it sold. The thing was low miles and it had EVERY option. And almost every accessory. We currently have an 06 Sivarado 2500 HD on the lot, guy said it just couldn't "do what he needed it to do" But then again, he got a 6-speed 3500 Dodge, IIRC. So, its all relative. Some people won't like it, some will. I hated the Tundra we had...interior just felt like a big Echo or something...there is just something about Japanese interiors that I don't like. And the power did not even compare with a Chevy or Dodge at the same trim level...way underpowered for its size. The 05 Titan we had was the same way, just seemed underpowered, and I think it had a 5.7 or whatever there bigger engine is.

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.