Toyota hurting our economy?

[travis1286]

I've been having this debate with several friends for the past year or so. They all seem to think Toyota is at fault for Ford's and GM's downfalls, and are the reason why so many Americans are losing their jobs. I highly disagree with that theory. Anyone have any thoughts on the matter?

[Pineapple]

I totally agree.
GM and Ford make crappy car which nobody want to buy. Only some die hard old school guy buy them. They're trying to make money by bring back 70s style and technology. They're moving backwards. Ford can't even do the highend GTO right. Owners had been forcing Ford to take the cars back because of problems. If they can build their highest end car correctly, what you think happen in lowerend cars?
Toyota and other car maker are working on what the consumer wants, reliability and economic. Cars are build with better style (well, depends if you like or not), technology and fuel economy.
Americans need to stop looking back at the good old days. Even China is moving forward while America slowly moving back. Economy is changing. The old union way is gone. Hanging on to them will only drag the whole country down. Its good to have a job that pay well and don't have to do much. Problem is it'll only last so long before the company go bankrupt which in Ford's case will drag the country down with it.

[Burrcold]

1) "Import" automotive manufactures are employing THOUSANDS of Americans in their North American facilities. Not to mention the fact that Toyota, Honda and several other Japanese companies are trying to further localize production of North American vehicles.

Therefore, JOBS for Americans.

2) All the parts suppliers (example the company I work for...which is a Japanese company), are employing Americans to build parts for these Import vehicles.

Therefore, once again MORE JOBS for Americans.

3) A better made vehicle will last longer. Imports again are tops in that catagory.

Therefore, money SAVED for Americans.

So please, please ask them how this is a slight on the American economy??

[FlyCanadianGuy]

I disagree. ALOT of import vehicles are made in the same country that they are sold. If they are imported the government takes a huge import tax on it (thats why liquour in Jamaica is $3, and here its $40) Not to mention that I worked for a company that produced parts for GM, and we used to produce about 2 Billion in parts for the company. We downsized because GM decided to have most of their parts made in Mexico, and we went from 2 BILLION to about 400 Million. Thats a HUGE difference. The average CEO of a large company (such as Ford/GM) is now making 43X what they were in the mid 80's. So let the people cry, but its not Japan or Korea taking all the money. ALSO, GM imports most of their steel from China (and now China imports most of their wheat/pork from Canada... one hand washes the other) This global economy is not hurting us, it will only help. If we could only get the US off our backs and make our Premiers have some fucking balls, we could be a top nation.