How to fix Toyota's duds...
01-23-12, 02:57 PM
#16
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What Toyota needs to do is test out their ideas on the internet before they release anything. Show us what you're going to build before you build it and you'll know whether it will sell.
Look at how that worked for the Mustang and Camero. Of course the final product can't be too different from the concept. Kazashi fail, anyone?
There is no need for focus groups. Car companies don't need to do things in secrecy like Apple does. Car companies can give customer early concept drawings and they'll know right away how people will respond. It's such a gamble to so much R&D into a car and get slammed by the public. See how people responded to the Honda Crosstour? Surprising the public is a bad move IMHO.
Look at how that worked for the Mustang and Camero. Of course the final product can't be too different from the concept. Kazashi fail, anyone?
There is no need for focus groups. Car companies don't need to do things in secrecy like Apple does. Car companies can give customer early concept drawings and they'll know right away how people will respond. It's such a gamble to so much R&D into a car and get slammed by the public. See how people responded to the Honda Crosstour? Surprising the public is a bad move IMHO.
01-23-12, 03:47 PM
#18
Lexus Fanatic
ToMoCo has it's hits and misses. Currently, the Scion xD, Toyota Land Cruiser, and Lexus HS are relative duds in terms of sales, as well as lacking the type of innovation and passion that its parallel competitors have.
And although the Corolla and Camry sell very well, they need to gain more edge in today's highly competitive market.
So, I came to thinking about how to make each Scion/Toyota/Lexus model better, but without raising cost. It's an engineering feat that haunts any company at any given day.
But I also wanted to get some insight (and some laughs
) at some of your suggestions. I will call people out if they want a 400 hp Camry, a Corolla that gets 60mpg, or the Lexus LS to be cheaper than a Hyundai Equus. 
Please, these should be realistic suggestions, not concepts and claims made by Acura.
DISCUSS
And although the Corolla and Camry sell very well, they need to gain more edge in today's highly competitive market.
So, I came to thinking about how to make each Scion/Toyota/Lexus model better, but without raising cost. It's an engineering feat that haunts any company at any given day.
But I also wanted to get some insight (and some laughs
) at some of your suggestions. I will call people out if they want a 400 hp Camry, a Corolla that gets 60mpg, or the Lexus LS to be cheaper than a Hyundai Equus. Please, these should be realistic suggestions, not concepts and claims made by Acura.
DISCUSS
As for the HS, more MPG, it is that simple.
Don't know anything about the Scion.
01-23-12, 04:07 PM
#19
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I don't know too much about the Land Cruiser, but with Toyota having not one but TWO body on frame full size SUVs, either the Land Cruiser or Sequoia have to go. You just cannot have both in the marketplace and I from what I understand, a fully loaded Sequoia has more features and creature comforts than the Land Cruiser. Makes no sense to have both.
As for the HS, more MPG, it is that simple.
Don't know anything about the Scion.
As for the HS, more MPG, it is that simple.
Don't know anything about the Scion.
01-23-12, 04:09 PM
#20
Lexus Test Driver
Take the Camry hybrid system put it in the HS, or make it slow and get the same MPG as a Prius, the way it is now is Civic hybrid laughable in terms of hybrid efficiency
The xD needs to go back to the original Scion philosophy, quick model change over, doesn't need to use an all new platform, but its style needs to be changed over quicker
The xD needs to go back to the original Scion philosophy, quick model change over, doesn't need to use an all new platform, but its style needs to be changed over quicker
01-23-12, 04:12 PM
#21
The Land Cruiser is a GLOBAL vehicle platform, and will not be going away any time soon.
Sequoia is based on the Tundra and development is incremental on the full-size pick up, in other words, not that much cost to get increased sales and margins with the SUV. America has shown it still loves its full size body on frame SUV's and so Toyota can continue to provide an offering with minimal effort.
Sequoia is based on the Tundra and development is incremental on the full-size pick up, in other words, not that much cost to get increased sales and margins with the SUV. America has shown it still loves its full size body on frame SUV's and so Toyota can continue to provide an offering with minimal effort.
01-23-12, 05:24 PM
#24
Actually, since the introduction of the 4 door Wrangler, I see them all over suburbia....
01-23-12, 09:47 PM
#25
FJ cruiser has always been a "fun" SUV to have. Enthusiasts of the FJ seem to find them great for off-roading. The FJ was built for that specialized market of people that want an SUV that is more capable off-road then it is on road without breaking the bank. It also has the Toyota reliability many people value, don't forget! A lot of the people i've seen that have them take them off-road more than they do on road. I would love to have one in my garage to beat on with some good off-roading!
The road noise and a "bad" ride don't really matter to those that run the car off-road mostly
The road noise and a "bad" ride don't really matter to those that run the car off-road mostly
01-24-12, 08:21 AM
#26
Out of Warranty
^^^ Amen!
The FJ is the only vehicle in the Toyota lineup that is a legitimate off-roader. Land Cruiser, Forerunner, Sequoia and Highlander with their Lexus cousins are largely compromises. Keep the FJ for the same reason Chrysler keeps the Wrangler . . . it may not be pretty, it may not be much of a highway ride, but its undeniable fun out where the pavement ends.
The FJ is the only vehicle in the Toyota lineup that is a legitimate off-roader. Land Cruiser, Forerunner, Sequoia and Highlander with their Lexus cousins are largely compromises. Keep the FJ for the same reason Chrysler keeps the Wrangler . . . it may not be pretty, it may not be much of a highway ride, but its undeniable fun out where the pavement ends.
01-24-12, 08:35 AM
#27
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I'm also a fan of the FJ (I own one... I better be!) - but for a big reason because it has a cool factor that a lot of Toyotas don't have anymore.
When a brand goes out on a limb and makes a "cool" car, I think it does a lot more for them and their image even if it's not selling in big numbers.
Like the Supra in the 90s for example: Didn't outsell the Corolla or Camry, but I'm sure it helped out Toyota's image in the performance category. It helps make them cool again.
--wishful enthusiast thinking
When a brand goes out on a limb and makes a "cool" car, I think it does a lot more for them and their image even if it's not selling in big numbers.
Like the Supra in the 90s for example: Didn't outsell the Corolla or Camry, but I'm sure it helped out Toyota's image in the performance category. It helps make them cool again.
--wishful enthusiast thinking
01-24-12, 11:48 PM
#29
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- Axe the HS, should have been an ES hybrid in the first place.
- IS needs a better base engine and a better manual tranny. Which also should be available on the 350 if even a cost option.
-V8 GS please?
- Take the LC out of the US lineup. The LX will more than cover it, the price difference isn't that big and the Sequoia platinum can more than bridge the gap. If it's a pride thing about the nameplate, have a sequoia LC edition or whatever. The Sequoia built in the US for the US on the Tundra platform with the presence of the LX makes more sense than having the LC anyway.
- Replace FJ with 2 door 4 Runner Trail edition. Effectively cut SUV lineup from 6 to 4.
- Seriously, 6AT across the Toyota lineup. The economy of scale will work things out.
- Axe the xD. Always seemed redundant with the intro of the 5 door Yaris in the US. Trim a Yaris spec to compensate.
- Give Scion a Kei-truck.
- Tighten up the driving dynamics of the tC. Can't have the veloster and mini showing it up. Needs to be a worthwhile companion to the FR-S
- Make the xB what it was the first time around again.
- Make the Scion RS cars worthwhile again and not just a funky paint job.
wishful thinking
-can we haz MR2 and Supra back please?
- IS needs a better base engine and a better manual tranny. Which also should be available on the 350 if even a cost option.
-V8 GS please?
- Take the LC out of the US lineup. The LX will more than cover it, the price difference isn't that big and the Sequoia platinum can more than bridge the gap. If it's a pride thing about the nameplate, have a sequoia LC edition or whatever. The Sequoia built in the US for the US on the Tundra platform with the presence of the LX makes more sense than having the LC anyway.
- Replace FJ with 2 door 4 Runner Trail edition. Effectively cut SUV lineup from 6 to 4.
- Seriously, 6AT across the Toyota lineup. The economy of scale will work things out.
- Axe the xD. Always seemed redundant with the intro of the 5 door Yaris in the US. Trim a Yaris spec to compensate.
- Give Scion a Kei-truck.
- Tighten up the driving dynamics of the tC. Can't have the veloster and mini showing it up. Needs to be a worthwhile companion to the FR-S
- Make the xB what it was the first time around again.
- Make the Scion RS cars worthwhile again and not just a funky paint job.
wishful thinking
-can we haz MR2 and Supra back please?
01-25-12, 04:59 AM
#30
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- Axe the HS, should have been an ES hybrid in the first place.
- IS needs a better base engine and a better manual tranny. Which also should be available on the 350 if even a cost option.
-V8 GS please?
- Take the LC out of the US lineup. The LX will more than cover it, the price difference isn't that big and the Sequoia platinum can more than bridge the gap. If it's a pride thing about the nameplate, have a sequoia LC edition or whatever. The Sequoia built in the US for the US on the Tundra platform with the presence of the LX makes more sense than having the LC anyway.
- Replace FJ with 2 door 4 Runner Trail edition. Effectively cut SUV lineup from 6 to 4.
- Seriously, 6AT across the Toyota lineup. The economy of scale will work things out.
- Axe the xD. Always seemed redundant with the intro of the 5 door Yaris in the US. Trim a Yaris spec to compensate.
- Give Scion a Kei-truck.
- Tighten up the driving dynamics of the tC. Can't have the veloster and mini showing it up. Needs to be a worthwhile companion to the FR-S
- Make the xB what it was the first time around again.
- Make the Scion RS cars worthwhile again and not just a funky paint job.
wishful thinking
-can we haz MR2 and Supra back please?
- IS needs a better base engine and a better manual tranny. Which also should be available on the 350 if even a cost option.
-V8 GS please?
- Take the LC out of the US lineup. The LX will more than cover it, the price difference isn't that big and the Sequoia platinum can more than bridge the gap. If it's a pride thing about the nameplate, have a sequoia LC edition or whatever. The Sequoia built in the US for the US on the Tundra platform with the presence of the LX makes more sense than having the LC anyway.
- Replace FJ with 2 door 4 Runner Trail edition. Effectively cut SUV lineup from 6 to 4.
- Seriously, 6AT across the Toyota lineup. The economy of scale will work things out.
- Axe the xD. Always seemed redundant with the intro of the 5 door Yaris in the US. Trim a Yaris spec to compensate.
- Give Scion a Kei-truck.
- Tighten up the driving dynamics of the tC. Can't have the veloster and mini showing it up. Needs to be a worthwhile companion to the FR-S
- Make the xB what it was the first time around again.
- Make the Scion RS cars worthwhile again and not just a funky paint job.
wishful thinking
-can we haz MR2 and Supra back please?