Filed under: Trends, Japan, Toyota
Toyota establishes "Committee to create interesting cars"
Toyota's MegaWeb showcase in the center of Tokyo proudly displays 13 sedans, 11 minivans, nine hatchbacks, six 4x4s, four station wagons and zero sports cars. Since production of the MR2 went the way of the Supra and the Celica and Soarer fell under the Lexus banner, Toyota has had precious little for car enthusiasts to get excited about.
The situation is so dire that even Toyota's top brass have noticed. According to the August 26th edition of "Best Car" magazine (Japan is no longer just 16 hours ahead of the US it would seem), the board of directors has created a "Committee to create interesting cars" in response to grass roots criticism that recent Toyotas are uninteresting. Let's hope that by admitting to having a problem, the company has taken the first step to recovery.
No word about what the committee's recommendations have been to date, but we'll let you know as soon as we hear.
[Source: Best Car]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
J.Crew 12:33PM (7/30/2007)
LOL... thus my point earlier stated in the WRX post about them adding the new grill! Toyota needs a "Committee to create interesting cars"... I guess no one has the balls to create an original design language of their own at that company so they need a committee?? Fear of making a mistake must be the overiding motivation here. They all have to sign off on the next boring design together!
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John R 12:33PM (7/30/2007)
Pretty simple really:
1 - Find time machine
2 - Go back to the '90s...and look at your own cars!
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Todd 2:31PM (7/30/2007)
Forget the 90's I say go back to the 80's.
-Supercharged MR2
-RWD Corolla
-Supra Turbo (yes the MKIV is better than the MKIII)
-AWD Turbo Celica All-Trac
-Turbo Pickup
-FX16 GTs (not everyones favorite but still good IMO)
Colin Smith 12:34PM (7/30/2007)
A camel then.
Well, a camel is an interesting horse, and goes a long way on a tankful, so why not.
Better still, employ some inspired designers and have some courage.
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Icon149 1:52PM (7/30/2007)
go back to the 90's! hahaha! nice, a camel... thanks colin, that was classic
icu812ru469 12:35PM (7/30/2007)
The only problem with this committee is that they currently work for Ferrari.
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sw 12:39PM (7/30/2007)
I think this is why Toyota does so well, they see a problem, they address it. The dealers were getting to be jerky, they're dealing with them. The designs are getting boring, they're dealing with them. Makes a lot more sense as a long term solution rather then discounting the cars heavily and losing out on profits.
They may not be the most passionate car company, but they're definetly the ones with the most grey matter and the greenbacks.
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Dinger 12:41PM (7/30/2007)
GM tried an interesting car by committee. We know it as the Aztek.
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stefan 12:41PM (7/30/2007)
Toyota 1997:
supra
soarer
corolla levin
sprinter trueno
cynos
celica
MR2
Toyota 2008
-----------------
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John R 12:53PM (7/30/2007)
Thank You. Case in point...
Juan 12:53PM (7/30/2007)
A committee? Isn't that what politicians form to make it look like they want to do something, when they actually have no intention of doing it?
C'mon Toyota, you must still have some of the same engineers around that used to make interesting cars. Pull them off minivan duty for awhile and give them freedom and a big budget.
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porker 12:54PM (7/30/2007)
toyota really should have a sport truck option for that trucklike thing they assemble in San Antonio. That way, they can blame all those engine failures on overzealous driving instead of their own poor quality.
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... 12:58PM (7/30/2007)
Thats just funny. Think it took them long enough?
Although I have no problems with the appearance of their current lineup, the models are too damn boring. The only model that interests me is the lexus IS, which is too pricey for what you get. I'm wondering why they took so long considering the positive rumors for an rwd corolla, as well as the rumors regarding a new supra.
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Biff Baxter All American 1:05PM (7/30/2007)
- It's the Big 3's fault.
- Regardless of the outcome of "design-by-committee", it's all good.
- Bad results will never appear in the press because IT'S TOYOTA!
(Cue the choir and release the doves)
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srivendel 1:12PM (7/30/2007)
One of Toyota's biggest problems is that it doesn't make interesting engines these days. M3, Evo, STi, Civic Si, S2000, 911, 350Z, Corvette... all are very different cars but they all share one thing in common: each has a truly characterful engine.
Totoya makes good engines, but they're pretty dull. Rarely do I read a review of a Toyota that spends more than a few sentences on the engine. Usually it's "refined" or "adequate" or "workmanlike", maybe even "strong."
But never interesting.
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The Other Bob 1:44PM (7/30/2007)
Please remove all Honda Engines from that list. The rest of the comment I totally agree on.
naggs 3:45PM (7/30/2007)
now its not really fair to say that honda's engines are not interesting. they are certianly have a unique feel. sure they are torque shy 4 bangers that get poop milage when pushed hard, but they are certainly interesting. impossible to not have fun at 8k rpm no matter how small the engine. honda is the best at what they do, you and I may not be into it but some are and thats cool
main problem with new honda performance, 140 lbs/ft is not enough for a 2800 lbs car...
Aetius 1:15PM (7/30/2007)
Carl - Oooo a committee!
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sammy 1:49PM (7/30/2007)
If the article said "GM establishes "Committee to create interesting cars" it would make a great Onion headline.
Since its about Toyota, everyone thinks its a bold move.
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Robert O 1:55PM (7/30/2007)
Yes, they need to do something. The new Camry is a (failed) attempt to make interesting cars. Instead, it looks like a caricature of a car - bulbous and odd. I'll admit, it feels like a Lexus inside - quite and comfortable, but eeegads, the styling. . . And the award for realy boring goes to the Corolla - another amazing vehicle that, next to the Honda Civic, looks downright dowdy.
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