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So much for Toyota's job creation

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by malorn, Jan 24, 2006.

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  1. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    When you add GM and Ford's announced job cuts over the last couple months, kind of makes you wonder about all those jobs Toyota is creating. GM and Ford are eliminating 60,000 jobs and Toyota only has 37000, employees in all of North America. Great trade off. Any economics experts like to talk to me about toyota's net effect on the economy. Also notice Toyota has not run the 'Toyota is American and a job creator' commercial for a few months. Must be another coincidence.
     
    #1 malorn, Jan 24, 2006
  2. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    :rolleyes:

    welcome back. malorn. haven't seen ya in a while. off trying to singlehandedly save american car manufacturers while simultaneously shaming all foreign car owners again?
     
    #2 galaxee, Jan 24, 2006
  3. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    You are reading into my posts. I am not trying to shame anybody, just want people to think about what is happening the next time they see that 'special' toyota propog....commercial.
     
    #3 malorn, Jan 24, 2006
  4. SomervillePrius

    SomervillePrius New Member

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    Yeah, it's toyota's fault that Gm and Ford can't build a competetive car.
     
    #4 SomervillePrius, Jan 24, 2006
  5. San_Carlos_Jeff

    San_Carlos_Jeff Active Member

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    Capitalism can be ugly. If GM and Ford would just make products that people want to buy then Toyota will be having the layoffs.
     
    #5 San_Carlos_Jeff, Jan 24, 2006
  6. SomervillePrius

    SomervillePrius New Member

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    Yeah it's funny how a global market is good when it's good for us but bad when we get a taste of our own medicine :)
     
    #6 SomervillePrius, Jan 24, 2006
  7. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    They are creating value. This is how the capitalist system works; it comes with a set of compromises. Europeans prefer more job security and accept other compromises.

    Did you vote for Gore, Kerry, or Bush?
     
    #7 richard schumacher, Jan 24, 2006
  8. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    My problem is that we have a 'lazy' media that never questions Toyota's claims. Couldn't the New York Times write a story about that job creator claim from a 'net jobs created' angle? Why do we never see that?
     
    #8 malorn, Jan 24, 2006
  9. naterprius

    naterprius Senior Member

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    My wallet is open for the GM EV1. I'll buy, site unseen, I'll pre-order, I'll pay sticker. All they have to do is return it to the market!
    Come on, GM, you can do it!

    By the way, hats off to Bill Ford. He is finally coming around. USA Today's headline is that they will be focusing on smaller vehicles and hybrids. Now, just get me a plug...

    Nate
     
    #9 naterprius, Jan 24, 2006
  10. SomervillePrius

    SomervillePrius New Member

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    What he said! GM has exactly one car I want to buy. They developed it 10 years ago but refuse to sell it to me.
     
    #10 SomervillePrius, Jan 24, 2006
  11. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    You are right about one thing, for the most part GM and Ford are very late to the 'hybrid' game. Everyone on PC is very into hybrid, low emissions and high mpg and I appreciate that, but what percentage of the 17 million new vehicles sold in the US last year does that constitute?
     
    #11 malorn, Jan 24, 2006
  12. Mystery Squid

    Mystery Squid Junior Member

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    Keep in mind the NYT is a rather left leaning paper....

    :ph34r:
     
    #12 Mystery Squid, Jan 24, 2006
  13. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    Where are all of the examples where a global market benefits the united states? Maybe you consider buying plastic junk at Wal-Mart for $1.00 under the real cost as being good for the US?
     
    #13 malorn, Jan 24, 2006
  14. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    Agreed, but the well-being of the citizens of the US should not really be a political issue. How about the Wall Street Journal?
     
    #14 malorn, Jan 24, 2006
  15. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    i find it mind-blowing that you rest the blame squarely on toyota. that's one really simple way to look at things...
     
    #15 galaxee, Jan 24, 2006
  16. bobr1

    bobr1 New Member

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    If Ford/GM/Chrysler had an available model similar to the Prius, I would have very seriously considered purchasing one. But they haven't yet released such a model. Not with the high MPG, roominess, performance and cool features of the Prius all in one tidy package.

    I hope via their alliances they come up with something competitive. I will certainly consider American brands again when it is time for another vehicle. All of my past cars were "American" brands (made with parts and labor from all over the world).

    But for now they simply don't have anything to offer.

    Here's what I want from any vehicle, regardless of technology:

    * 4-Door Sedan or Hatchback
    * Plenty of Cargo room, headroom, rear-seat room
    * Better than 40MPG real-world mileage
    * 0-60 around 10-sec
    * Navigation, MFD-style controls and goodies
    * No ICE idling when vehicle is stopped
    * Smooth, quiet ride
    * Low pollution

    Toyota makes such a vehicle: The Prius. Honda makes a Civic hybrid that misses a couple of these points but comes close.

    So, I'm happy with my Prius for now. Does patriotism require me to hold off on a purchase so that someday maybe somehow a domestic brand will have a competitive product?

    - Bob R.
     
    #16 bobr1, Jan 24, 2006
  17. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    I don't just blame toyota, they are just a great symbol for what is going on in many industries.
     
    #17 malorn, Jan 24, 2006
  18. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    The EV1 would have been a far more logical answer for my driving cycle too. Kind of interesting how GM crushed them all, probably afraid of sending mixed-messages to their loyal pickup and SUV buyers.
     
    #18 jayman, Jan 24, 2006
  19. EricGo

    EricGo New Member

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    heya malorn,

    I've had this question ever since reading the Ford annual financial statement, and this thread seems as good a place as any to perhaps have it answered. You are bizness person, maybe you know ..
    Am I reading correctly, that Ford paid $0 in federal taxes in 2005 ?
     
    #19 EricGo, Jan 24, 2006
  20. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    No, i have never had an issue with someone buying a Prius who was serious about saving gas or reducing emissions. If all toyota did was sell Priuses and other fuel misers I doubt I would even be on here.
     
    #20 malorn, Jan 24, 2006
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