Toyota plans low-cost cars in China, India, Brazil

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Apr 2, 2006 | 01:54 PM

allscion

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Toyota plans low-cost cars in China, India, Brazil

This will complete Toyota's domination of the global car market...

Some interesting stuff at the bottom of the article: Masatami Takimoto, head of research and development, said the company was working on propulsion systems that would not rely on fossil fuels. “In 30 years’ time we will not be able to rely on fuel oil,” he said.

Paul
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http://business.timesonline.co.uk/ar...114176,00.html

Quote:

... one key issue for the study would be whether cars would be sold under the Toyota brand or a new name. Some executives are worried that the cheaper vehicles might detract from Toyota’s image.

The Japanese group has a history of inventing brands for new markets. It uses the Lexus name for its upmarket cars, and recently launched a new brand, Scion, to target young drivers in America. Several big car companies are also considering similar moves to win first-time buyers in emerging markets.

Apr 3, 2006 | 08:35 PM

dskinner

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Bring on the cheap cars to America.

I don't want to seem primitive, but what is the greatest success story in automotive history. I believe that it would have to be the Ford Model T, a cheap, reliable vehicle that changed the American culture forever.

Yes a new cheap vehicle has competition that the Model T never did, but I think that a very cheap (and recycleable) vehicle, especially from Toyota, would be a huge success.

I'm sure there is a great market out there (maybe not in America) of people who would like a small practicle vehicle that is very cheap. Not Scion practicle and cheap, I'm talking ACC Smart ForTwo cheap, just think of the potential.

http://www.smart.com/-snm-0153364972...modelle%2epage

Apr 4, 2006 | 02:47 PM

jason2000

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why are those smart cars so expensive. if they could make something like that more fuel efficient and cheaper. then they would be onto something

Apr 4, 2006 | 09:58 PM

R2D2

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The key factor is Quality. If that can be established in an inexpensive format without in any sense compromising reliability, its completely within the domain of the "Toyota" name. On the same token, creating a new brand name while making cheap and unreliable products will tarnish the Toyota name (even if its under a different "brand name") and I HIGHLY recommend staying away from that degrading process.
Toyota ~ Quality Over Quantity.

Apr 7, 2006 | 12:39 AM

dskinner

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^^^ I totally agree with the reliability being most important for the Toyota marque. However, if there is a market for extremely low budget cars, build the cars. If Toyota puts out a cheap product that is reliable (just because its cheap does not mean it is unreliable, look at the Echo, very very cheap by American standards), it is still a Toyota.