Friday May 25, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Prius is Japan's top selling car in June

Business Jul. 06, 2009 - 01:10PM JST ( 10 )

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

Order by Time Order by Popularity

10 Comments

0

MisterM1Jul. 06, 2009 - 03:28PM JST

Toyota is doing a good job.
0

rajakumarJul. 06, 2009 - 05:12PM JST

Toyota gasoline electric tech engines is start for better cars of future in 2009/2010s.
0

usaexpatJul. 06, 2009 - 11:12PM JST

Because the Japnese view cars as appliances. Even in the states, I had a Japanese friend who worked for a research hospital ($$$$$) and he drove a Toyota minivan, I mean wtf? I don't dispute the prius gets good mileage and it's roomy blah blah but my 10 year old Peugeot is a hell of a lot more fun.
0

TheQuestionJul. 07, 2009 - 02:12AM JST

I never back down from a chance to attack the Prius, the evil little thing's keep hitting my car because they can't hold traction on a frozen road.
0

sfjp330Jul. 07, 2009 - 03:50AM JST

Surprised how heavy Prius weighs at over 3100 pounds. If they can make Prius 300 to 400 pounds lighter, you can probably get close to 55 to 60 mpg. They should use lighter components, such as using aluminum materials, thin casting design and minimizing options to define what car is really all about. It's about gas milage, reliablility and comfort.
0

zurcroniumJul. 07, 2009 - 04:08AM JST

Toyota is on its third generation of hybrids. GM and Ford are on their first. How stupid was US management to not balance their SUV sales when oil was cheap? And how smart was Honda and Toyota for making the investment in the new technology when it was not clear it would succeed.

That is leadership.
0

sfjp330Jul. 07, 2009 - 04:39AM JST

zucronium at 4:08 am, 7th July: Regarding Toyota third generation of hybrids. These hybrid techology will be a short term solutions to future electric type of cars once the battery technology is solved. Ford owns 1/3 of Mazda and they have invested heavily on Mazda R/D. The Mazda technology resulted in Ford Focus from Mazda 3 platform, Ford Fusion from Mazda 6 platform, Ford Edge from Mazda CX9 platform. They are very good cars. Ford will be very competitive with Toyota or Honda in any future technology. Every manufacturer goes through cycles. Ford is not stupid, and this is a long road.

In the mid 1990's, Japanese were exporting 2,300,000 vehicles to U.S. while U.S. was sending less than 10,000 vehicles to Japan. The Japanese had substantial restrictions and call it fair trade. This is how smart Toyota and Honda were. This is leadership in fair trade?
0

zurcroniumJul. 07, 2009 - 04:56AM JST

sfjp,

trade is a different issue. I agree with you that the trade is not balanced. Again why didnt GM management fight for more openness of Japan while watching their market share slowly dissolve. Korea as well, its even worse there. Because the idiots running GM believed the free market myth that republicans wish for like a kid believes in the tooth fairy. It is not a surprise why GM is bankrupt now and Toyota is number one. Also after Roger Smith GM didnt care about the cars they made, only their financing of the cars they sold.

Maybe Ford can pull it out. I hope so. But GM had an electric car years ago and cancelled it without any explanation whatsoever. Ford could do the same.
0

sfjp330Jul. 07, 2009 - 05:19AM JST

zurcronium;

The Japanese have no self retraint regarding trade inbalance. They have no concept on fair trade. Toyota and Honda was the main culprid in the 90's and 2000's in which all the U.S. auto mfg. were destroyed. GM and Ford is a American company for mostly U.S. market and government should protect these business regardless of the management or quality of product. I don't support Toyota and Honda's view of dumping their vehicles and parts into the U.S. soil. They are Japanese company supported by Japanese govenment. Think about it, this is a same viewpoint by the Japanese government for U.S. products coming into Japan. Regardless of qualty, why do American cars cost twice as much in Tokyo compared to U.S? Even today, they put substantial restrictions on U.S. products. Because of bogus tax, politics, etc.? This is called a fair trade with Japan that has not changed. It's more of child support.
0

nigelboyJul. 08, 2009 - 05:09AM JST

Regardless of qualty, why do American cars cost twice as much in Tokyo compared to U.S? Even today, they put substantial restrictions on U.S. products. Because of bogus tax, politics, etc.?

Good question. Whats the tariff rates imposed on American cars?