Toyota wins prominent Asian convert

Published: Friday, May 26, 2006


AFP Photo: Former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew answers quesitons during an international conference in Tokyo

TOKYO -- Toyota has won a new convert -- Lee Kuan Yew.

The founder of modern Singapore confided this week that he recently switched from a Mercedes to a Toyota Lexus and said he needed to go less often to a mechanic.

"I used to use Mercedes. I'm now using Lexus. Why? Because less time loss going to the workshop," the 82-year-old elder statesman told a forum in Tokyo.

"But why is that? Because Mercedes expanded too fast across the world and now Mercedes is not by German workers only, but also made in Brazil and made in other places," Lee said.

"So, they have not got the same quality control as Japan has," he told the audience, mostly Japanese businessmen.

"Your manufacturers in America and Europe somehow maintain that quality control. And you are able to maintain your reputation. So, that's the result of your first-class management."

The Lexus, Toyota's flagship luxury model, was launched in 1989 for the North American market and was later expanded to Europe and other parts of Asia. After confirming its popularity overseas, Toyota launched the sedan in Japan last year.

source : AFP

 

He's just finding that out NOW?

That's what happens when you don't read CAR CHAT.

 

Nobody argues with me when I bring up a discussion about the high quality of a Lexus compared to other vehicles. I know what this guy is talking about as we had for example two XJ6 Jaguars in the 80s and we always heard the joke that you buy one to own and the other to keep in the shop and that turned out to be unfortunately true.

 

He's completely right! Japanese automaker had better quality control any automakers in the world! That's why Lexus #1 on the luxury cars!

 

Most of us knew that Toyota is dependanble, reliable and can go the long haul for a long time. My family has always had Toyotas since the 1980's and from that time on I sensed that it was only going to get better. Then Lexus came out and the rest is history or actually the present the rest of the world is now witnessing that Toyota can build one of the best cars in the world...

 

Is this a valid reason, because Toyota/Lexus is now doing the same by creating factories in the U.S. and Canada?

Is it a Quality Control issue, or just Quality alone?

Let's discuss...

 

LOL, he is soooo right!!

 

My guess it's probably one of these or similar ?

2006 Lexus LS Armored Sedan


Price: $127,000.00 plus shipping



Specifications:

Vehicle & Armoring Specs:
--2006 Lexus LS Armored Sedan
--Complete Armor Package, Level B-6 (Euro Std.)
--4.3L V-8 Engine, 290hp
--6 Speed Automatic Transmission
--All Ballistic Materials Are Certified By American & German Laboratories


Complete Ballistic Protection Package

--Complete Overlapping Passenger Compartment Protection System
--39 mm (1.5 inch) multilayer ballistic glass (certified) with anti-spall layer along and ballistic
steel plate overlap along edges.
--12 mm (0.50 inch) minimum thickness ballistic steel armor plating (certified) located in
columns, pillars, roof, doors, door locks and mirror mounts, fire panel, and rear seat
--Molded custom roof & floor explosion protection (Ballistic Composites and/or Ballistic Steel)
--Protection for both 90º and 45º shots including fuel tank , battery and engine computer
protection (ECM/Electronic Control Module)
--Five (5) Hutchinson run-flat tire inserts/devices
--Operable front windows, 7”-8” of opening (For optional rear window package add $3,500)
--All critical points in vehicle upgraded and reinforced, including pillars, posts, hinges, chassis
points and suspension system
--Optima® Bullet-Resistant Battery
--Wire mesh tailpipe protection
--Additional options available by request

more HERE

 

Wow what a find...thought it wasn't real at first..to think, ballistic protection angles...

 

Prime Minister Kew is not totally correct on this. Mercedes did not lose their quality just because they expanded too quick and started to use less-skilled laborers outside German plants. For one thing, this does not explain some of the poor quality of the cars coming from the German plants themselves. And it also ignores the fact ( something that he should know anyway ) that some of the most skilled workers in the world are Asians. No, the main problems have been the poor design and quality of the electrical systems particularly the connectors, and cost-cutting on the quality of some of the interior hardware. It is not unusual to see new M-B pruducts with not only electrical problems but things like glove boox doors that fall off, shifter handles that come loose and wobble, trim pieces that fall off, etc.......

Studies have actually been done on some of the connector problems, and it was found that German ( and many European ) electrical systems have connectors that are difficult for a factory worker to connect simply by feel alone.....a necessity sometimes when you are working under the dash or in tight places with poor visibility. Japanese-designed connectors, on the other hand, go in with a solid audible " snap " that you can also feel with your hands...and that ensures a proper connection, while in many European cars the connectors, for obvious reasons, are not always in there tightly, so after a little while they work loose and come apart.

 

A lot of it was Benz really not giving a crap and resting on its laurels. Before Lexus, these luxury car companies had people fooled that luxury meant expensive repairs often. It was expected.

They laughed until those sales started to go to Lexus and in America they have not caught up.

 

Armoured LS430, COOOOOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!