The AutoIndustrie Blog

"Affection at first sight"?! I am more inclined to...

2010-03-07T17:51:53.085-08:00

"Affection at first sight"?!
I am more inclined to be "Yawning at first sight"!

Although the new steering along with the center console "touch up" is nice, its still the same Toyota your dad would drive.

I really !really! can't see how some people like these Vioses' design (or lack of it). The original late-90s Vios still had a

good!^^

2010-03-05T23:45:12.491-08:00

good!^^

What exactly they are trying to prove here? that v...

2010-03-05T23:22:40.780-08:00

What exactly they are trying to prove here? that vios can be camry as well?

In the US context, I think Audi's marketing has be...

2010-03-05T08:27:17.758-08:00

In the US context, I think Audi's marketing has been just as aggressive as Hyundai. Not that they offer incentives to specific group of customers but rather in their recent TVCs. A few of them were explicitly putting down competing models from BMW and Merc, even Lexus. So far seems to be working well for them though.

Wow, I can't agree more. Quality is built-in and p...

2010-03-04T14:40:20.391-08:00

Wow, I can't agree more. Quality is built-in and predatory sales tactic can sometimes backfire. I wouldn't call it "n00b" - some companies do it well but I like the German attitude - to not cheapen their products.

Toyota-bashing in America has gone too far. When G...

2010-03-01T10:50:26.419-08:00

Toyota-bashing in America has gone too far. When GM pulled out of its GM-Toyota JV factory (NUMMI) in California, you don't hear the unions screaming. When Toyota does it, they're up in arms.

I am no fan of Toyota but I'll say part of the blame lies with American political culture. Like any other big company in US, Toyota has to play the same game. So they went out and

Watanabe-san should be held responsible. I knew co...

2010-02-28T18:00:46.721-08:00

Watanabe-san should be held responsible. I knew cos I was there. Regarding the supplier cost control, everyone in the company knew that all along.

Shame for Toyota as in pursuit for their wealth, they forget to practise what they preach. They talk about managing low parts level inventory at in-house warehouse and supplier so that quality issue can be minimalised, but when real quality

It is true that aftersales divisions are starting ...

2010-02-28T08:55:37.490-08:00

It is true that aftersales divisions are starting to take a more prominent role in automotive companies. They were previously looked down and now they are being recognized as profit centres.
From an organizational stand point, I am intrigued about what should be the role of marketing in an aftersales division. How should it coordinate with car sales? For example, accessory sales are usually

the first was probably this http://www.renault.co...

2010-02-17T22:13:50.247-08:00

the first was probably this

http://www.renault.com/en/Innovation/stars-mecaniques/Pages/tce-130.aspx

While Toyota name tarnished with the re-call, the ...

2010-02-07T08:06:19.111-08:00

While Toyota name tarnished with the re-call, the price of Toyota increased in Malaysia :(

http://paultan.org/2010/02/07/toyota-vios-facelift-teased-on-umw-toyota-website-with-estimated-pricing/

My next car gonna be Kia Forte

It appears so for China but TMC did not directly m...

2010-02-05T20:02:20.855-08:00

It appears so for China but TMC did not directly mention it. Not sure about other markets.

The faulty gas pedal at fault in the affected Toyo...

2010-02-05T07:53:10.958-08:00

The faulty gas pedal at fault in the affected Toyota cars were made by CTS

Are those recall in Europe & China, also having part made by CTS??

How To Make money with affiliate programs Today. A...

2010-01-22T05:39:48.130-08:00

How To Make money with affiliate programs Today. Affiliate marketing is the easier and probably the most effective method to make money from the internet. It is basically, a kind of selling technique where potential buyers from your website are directed to the websites of sellers. For every click, the website owner gets a small commission.

www.onlineuniversalwork.com

Just as a reference, the US is just as bad. They s...

2010-01-19T17:42:07.985-08:00

Just as a reference, the US is just as bad. They set up a so-called "Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry", headed by Tim Geithner. Some examples of the "prodding" this task force did:
1) Forced an increase in CAFE standards.
2) Lied about the Cash-for-Clunkers success, claiming fuel efficient vehicles were bought at taxpayers expense, contrary to an auto

Malaysia is worst!! Many has gone to Thai & Indone...

2010-01-19T08:16:56.598-08:00

Malaysia is worst!! Many has gone to Thai & Indonesia :(

Yes the picture is current 3rd Serena, it is just ...

2010-01-12T20:02:56.961-08:00

Yes the picture is current 3rd Serena, it is just put up as a reference.

Haven't come across any scoop on the 4th gen Serena, but looking at a typical Japanese MPV model lifecycle, expect the 4th gen model to be released between 2011 and 2012.

I saw this news in the website you mentioned a few...

2010-01-12T05:33:42.572-08:00

I saw this news in the website you mentioned a few days back and what I can tell you is that the picture is the current Serena, not the upcoming one.

Doing 140KPH in early morning light traffic on the...

2010-01-08T18:31:42.059-08:00

Doing 140KPH in early morning light traffic on the fast lane - that is called good manners.

If you were pottering along at 90KPH, we shall have words!

Saw them twice on Kesas, booking a kapcai...at bes...

2010-01-08T05:20:17.629-08:00

Saw them twice on Kesas, booking a kapcai...at best get RM10, need to use Evo X?

you were doing 140 in your daihatsu sirion?? :O

2010-01-07T19:44:00.949-08:00

you were doing 140 in your daihatsu sirion?? :O

Saw one on Penchala link on Mon 4 Jan stopping a 3...

2010-01-07T00:15:40.164-08:00

Saw one on Penchala link on Mon 4 Jan stopping a 3-ton lorry.

Heck, even Waja patrol cars stop 3-ton lorry, no need Lancer Evo for that.

I think there will be a lot of concerns - both by ...

2010-01-05T18:57:24.681-08:00

I think there will be a lot of concerns - both by Toyota and Malaysian government if the EFC is sold as a Toyota.

But don't rule out introduction under P2 badge. After all, it is common knowledge that P2 intends / has plans for a small sedan model, but for various reasons, including political, have not been able to advance the project any further.

A Low Cost Car is

http://www.autoincar.com/toyota-etios-concept-vers...

2010-01-05T02:52:40.236-08:00

http://www.autoincar.com/toyota-etios-concept-version-at-auto-expo-2010/

Renault re-named its low cost car as Logan; why Toyota still maintain its name?

It look smaller than Vios. Will it come to Msia? Vios start around RM70k, how much would this car cost? RM60k?? Then, who gonna buy P1 & P2 ??

TY2LS

Toyota is getting scary - a Low Cost Car. This aft...

2010-01-04T23:40:49.746-08:00

Toyota is getting scary - a Low Cost Car. This after Wall Street Journal recently reported Toyota is pushing its suppliers to reduce material cost by 30% this year. This coming after that recent massive recall due to crappy floormats. Folks would be wise to consider Hyundai/Kia alternatives.

Actually GM was willing to sell to anyone who is w...

2009-12-19T07:37:45.161-08:00

Actually GM was willing to sell to anyone who is willing to offer them the right money.

BAIC was initially part of a consortium with Swedish super car maker Koenigsegg in the bid. But Koenigsegg decided to withdraw, leaving only Spyker as the only bidder. Thus BAIC too backed out and only wanted to buy all the IP rights and tooling equipments.

I guess Chinese companies have