Should Toyota keep an eye on GM? Yes. I'm certain they are because any large company would be a fool not to closely follow the actions of such a large competitor.

Should Toyota fear that GM will nock them down any time soon? Hell no. I believe Toyota will over take GM this year and I believe they will stay in front of GM for a very, very long time. GM might never get the #1 spot back just as Ford never regained it when they were passed so many years ago.

That doesn't mean that GM will be marginalized. If GM (and for that mater Ford and Chrysler) can get the legacy costs under control I think all three are actually quite capable of becoming turn around stories. I'm not talking about somewhat, I'm talking real, honest turn around. I suspect a lot of Americans would really embrace the companies if they felt the companies were really producing world beating products. They actually do produce a number of great cars but their image (and some of the products as well) are still lagging. However, as an example of people standing behind a winning domestic product, look at the number of people who embraced the idea of a Ferrari priced Ford. Ford or not the Ford GT was truly a car for people to be proud of.

Toyota is very unlikely to fall but they need to watch their rear view mirror.

 

People do underestimate GM, especially with regard to R&D. GM still turns out impressive new technology, and OnStar is an exceedingly smart idea. They also pioneered the magnetorheological suspension systems that higher-end cars are using now (and that the Vette has had for a few years). They pioneered the variable displacement idea in the 80s, they were the first with auto trannies in the 50s, they supply/have supplied transmissions to pretty much everyone including Ferrari and Mercedes...GM's tentacles run deeper than most people realize.

As an American company, they are far harder to knock off their perch than Ford and Chrysler combined. GM *WILL* be the last of the Big 3 around in 50 years, I think.

 

"Toyota afraid of GM?"

what is this a bs? i think can't of anything else but whoever wrote that review is a gm fanboy.

and no i'm not a toyota fanboy. The phrase "toyota afraid of gm" just simply amused me.

 

considering that Toyota has enough liquid capital to buy FoMoCo, i really dont think their that concerned about it.

 

Its funny you mention that......there is GM technology in Ferraris all you GM haters

 

The problem with GM was already stated in this thread... they deliver technology... while Toyota delivers the product which ultimately is what it comes down to.

GM makes SOME fine vehicles... but they totally neglect alot of their other vehicles that could help the company tremendously. When is the last time you sat in a cobalt? Its crap.

 

[QUOTE=Onehots2k,Sep 18 2007, 06:45 PM] "It is very clear that General Motors would like nothing more than to humiliate Toyota. At GM, it

 

[QUOTE]So, they

 

Given the $30k price I suspect that was a Canadian price. Rather than assume the article is crap perhaps thinking about who might have written it is in order.

 

"people in glass houses..."