Toyota plans 11-day plant shutdown in Japan
Toyota execs must think they're living in the Bizarro World. Think about it: operating losses, plunging sales -- these were terms once reserved for its lowly competitors. Not anymore. Now, Toyota's feeling the sting of a down market along with everyone else and is taking steps to try and stop the bleeding. An already-planned 3-day production freeze this month at all of Toyota's Japanese manufacturing plants has now swelled to include 11 more days in February and March. Toyota's hoping to scale back inventories in the face of flagging car sales everywhere. Cue the R.E.M...
[Source: Reuters, AFP]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Dave 10:14AM (1/06/2009)
I guess everyone will be blaming Toyota for it's own failure to bring product to market that everybody wants to buy and it's their own darned fault for investing in the wrong vehicle mix......
Reply
Rob 9:58AM (1/06/2009)
Toyota is stupid. They grew too fast too quickly, and never thought about sustainable business. They had way too many SUVs, also.
Honda and Subaru, on the other hand... are doing pretty good. They stick to what they are good at, and don't cater to fads like SUVs.
Reply
The Other Bob 10:02AM (1/06/2009)
"...don't cater to fads like SUVs."
Not to defend Toyota, but I would not classify SUV's as a fad. The had a nearly 20 year run. I would bet Hybrids have a shorter run.
Rob 10:08AM (1/06/2009)
No, sorry dude, they were completely a fad. They were sold to people who didn't need them, on the basis that owning one makes you sexier, more outdoorsy, and younger. I've hated them since the explorer, and now the general public is finally starting to get the message. They're stupid, a fad, and if you own one, haha you fell for a stupid campaign by marketing majors. MARKETING MAJORS! They really don't come much dumber.
AZMike 10:30AM (1/06/2009)
Rob,
you might want to open your eyes, and realize that your own personal hatred of SUVs is clouding your judgment.
fads (like hybrids, teeny little cars, expensive teeny little European cars, and hatchback anything) last for five years or less, and then it's over. there will always be a small niche market, but nothing that a manufacturer can count on for major sustainable profit.
on the other hand, SUVs have been popular as family vehicles for over 20 years. that's not a fad.
and by the way, those "horrible" SUVs have seen quite a resurgence; values for used SUVs the last 90 days have jumped just under 50%. and when it comes to new vehicles, the teeny ones are sitting (you know, "the ones everyone wants"), and the big stuff is moving.
AZMike
moyoi 10:40AM (1/06/2009)
bob is right, 20 yrs is more of an era than it will ever be a fad. Name something that you have done for the last 20 yrs of your life, if you are that old.
caddy-v 12:36PM (1/06/2009)
Rob,
So owning a Suburban makes me sexier? Does that mean I don't need Viagra anymore?
Or more outdoorsy? Does that mean I need to get a Smart car to pull my boat, or camper? Or work outside like I have for the last thirty some years?
And if I get rid of the "burb" just to make you happy, does that mean I can't hunt, fish, jetski, snowski, or go on picnics because I no longer feel outsoorsy?
So when I bought my Suburban I should have thought about stupid marketing campaigns. But no, selfish me, I only thought about myself and what I need to live my life the way I want.
But if you can find a car that DOES make me younger, I'm in.
By the way, all reports indicate SUV sales are on the rise again. Don't worry, I'll write your suicide note for you.
And one other thing. Maybe your're not keeping up with the times, and I'm not picking on you, but using "Dude" is so middle school.
Rob 12:46PM (1/06/2009)
OMG you are so right! Nobody ever hunted, went skiing, towed anything, or went camping before SUVs were around! I forgot!!! Sorry, dude. Wait, I mean douche.
PS: I'll be passing your lame ass SUV in the ditch in my AWD subaru on the way to the ski hill. Maybe I'll slow down and laugh at you like I usually do to stuck SUVs.
caddy-v 1:20PM (1/06/2009)
Ah! A Subaru. That explains the dementia.
Can that Subaru tow a 7400 lb boat or a 6600 lb camper? Just asking.
That Subaru is indeed capable of carrying you off to the ski "hill" (or do you mean bunny hill) but if you want to play with the big boys, buy the big toys.
And I don't know how you could notice anyone in a ditch when dealing with all the road noise and rough ride your Subaru's are noted for.
And try not to go too fast, we all know how Subaru's paint flakes off. I'll just laugh when I pass you by at Earl Schieb's.
Rob 1:41PM (1/06/2009)
Newsflash: Not everyone has a 7,000lb penis extension they need to tow behind their vehicle. I currently tow my boat with a 98hp 20 year old HONDA ACCORD, and it works fine. And how do you assume that because I drive an AWD 240hp Subaru that I suck at skiing? I don't see your logic. Road noise? Rough riding?
What the hell are you going on about? TRUCKS ride poorly. TRUCKS are noisy. Subaru makes capable vehicles that don't care about the weather, are fun to drive, hold resale value, and corner and brake well.
Rob 1:44PM (1/06/2009)
Oh yeah, one other thing. Just wondering if your stupid SUV was ever an Autoblog reader ride.
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/02/reader-ride-1992-subaru-svx/
Mine was. Jackass.
noz 1:48PM (1/06/2009)
AZ MIKE:
Hybrids are a fad? LOL...ok.
Small cars a fad? LOL....ok
One thing that certainly isn't a fad is a the stupidity and ignorance of the American public. In this day and age where were facing the most serious environmental problems in the world, if SUVs come back, it's because of the utter idiocy that has gotten a hold of people here.
And by definition, that is a fad. You do things for the sake of doing it because everyone else is doing it. Geez...I don't need a 10 passenger SUV but because our neighbors have one, I'll get one too.
Seems like your hatred for hybrids and small cars has warped your judgement...not just clouded it.
Sean S 2:28PM (1/06/2009)
I kind of agree on the fad thing as, and I could be wrong as this is from memory, but SUVs didn't really pick up until mid 90s followed by a huge jump around the late 90s. (Remodeling of the Grand Cherokee, creation of the Expedition, huge jump in Suburban sales) Anyone know where numbers can be found to back either side up? Just out of curiosity.
"What the hell are you going on about? TRUCKS ride poorly. TRUCKS are noisy. Subaru makes capable vehicles that don't care about the weather, are fun to drive, hold resale value, and corner and brake well."
I'm guessing you're talking about a Legacy? I own a WRX and there is nothing really all that great about it's ride, comfort, or feel. It's really just an overachieving econobox. Yes it's quick, nimble, and capable in the snow but I would rather take my girlfriend's Aura for a long distance drive (Which I've done in both) and if gas weren't an issue, I sure as hell would rather take a newer Silverado (Which I have).
Avinash machado 9:57AM (1/06/2009)
Toyota seems to be becoming more and more like GM.
Reply
MM 10:16AM (1/06/2009)
You are Spot on. They are indeed more and more like GM. Toyota had the some of the highest recalls its ever seen.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123112023622652953.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
It seems that since Toyota has reached the top and became the world's number 1 auto manufacturer that the only way to go now is down. So who will topple Toyota? My guess is Hyundai followed by a yet to be named Chinese manufacturer.
distantbody 10:30AM (1/06/2009)
Toyota has been well managed and is fundamentally strong, two things you can't say about GM. The only thing that I see as being similar with GM is Toyotas product line getting a bit out of control, ugly and boring.
happy_penguin 12:35PM (1/06/2009)
I've been saying this for years. In their quest for #1 Toyota has forsaken quality and design. Chrysler, Ford and General Motors are fighting. Toyota has become complacent.
tekd 5:33AM (1/07/2009)
I don't think that Toyota's cost structure is out of hand at all though. Really, no auto manufacturer in the entire world is really ever going to be prepared when faced with such a drastic economic crisis, since demand drops so much that everyone's forced to idle off plants.
Far as I can tell though their costs are still well controlled. It's somewhat unfortunate that they have so much excess capacity now, but I'm also fairly certain that Toyota is just playing it safe with an 11 day shutdown. They're used to having much smaller supplies of cars than GM anyways, so an oversupply to Toyota where cars sit around for 60 days is just regular business for GM, lol.
UhOh 10:05AM (1/06/2009)
Everybody hurts...
Reply
dkw 12:01PM (1/06/2009)
I was thinking...... "It's the end of the world as we know it......."
but that one works too!