Akio Toyoda, the grandson of Toyota’s founder, recently took over as President of the struggling Japanese automobile manufacturer and it didn’t take him long to issue a warning that the industry is set for at least two more years of tough times. Toyoda said that, in a bid to make the company profitable again, his focus will be on creating autonomous operations to focus on region-specific vehicle lineups across the globe.
Toyoda said that the automaker might not provide a full lineup in every market any longer; in order to streamline operations, he will steer the company “back to basics” as he believes his grandfather would have done. He has also called back former Toyota executives to help slash costs by at least 800 billion yen this year as global sales are expected to drop to just 6.5 million vehicles (down over 1 million) this year.
Former President Katsuaki Watanabe made a similar promise when he took over in 2005, however, and the automaker has done little to cut costs because, until last year, it was making a solid profit. Facing a second year of record profits, Toyoda wants the company to further cut costs from its operations.
“We want to do everything possible to avoid a third consecutive year of losses,” Toyoda told reporters.
Region-specific lineups
Though Toyoda gave few details as to how he plans to reduce the size of Toyota’s offerings across the globe, he did confirm that the automaker will heavily push hybrids in Europe.
It is not expected that Toyoda will look to significantly boost production of the hot-selling Prius, however. Analysts have warned that increased Prius production could eat into the sales of the company’s more profitable models.
Toyota will set up a more independent operation in North America, where all models will be subject to market-specific adjustments, though Toyoda gave few details.



06/25, 9:04 AM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
LOL, maybe for you Toyota! YOur troubles have just begun my friend. Americans don’t want our POS, unreliable crap anymore. Americans have woken up long ago and they have made the choice. And that choice is General Motors. This is GM country and you and the rest of the pigs is japland need to get the fock out! You don’t belong here and neither do the scumsucker unAmerican idiots who still buy your crap.
Buy Amercan. Buy GM
06/25, 9:12 AM
posted by:
sj79
Shouldnt the article above say “record losses”? I think thats what should be there instead of “profits”.
When is Toyota going to realize Europeans don’t like hybrids? They are trying to force them to adopt a solution that Americans and the Japanese embrace even though Europe has tons of efficient diesels.
06/25, 9:14 AM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
hey wait, is this the original NMOFGM?? WELCOME BACK!!!!
who wouldn’t be doing bad with a car as hideous as the Camry!
06/25, 9:14 AM
posted by:
bigs4610
dude, as an avid GM supporter, even I am embarrassed by the things you say.
06/25, 9:27 AM
posted by:
AutoCritical
Although that new Lotus has a Camry engine!
06/25, 9:29 AM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
GM isn’t American anymore. It’s federal government. NMOFGM spends his days filling out forms.
I am not certain what Toyota’s unit sales were last year, but didnt they do 9.35M units in 2007? To drop to 6.5M is insane for such a globally well-run company that is in tune with the world and craps gold and all that BS that its fanboys spew. When is Pelosi going to call Akio to testify before Congress and lecture him as if she and the rest of those fools have a clue.
06/25, 9:41 AM
posted by:
sj79
Toyota would be in better shape if they made more fuel efficient products. Just ask our reps in Congress who are experts on the industry. My man Shelby from Alabama said the Big 3 were losing money because they were failed companies with poor management and overpaid union workers. He said the automakers in the South (the Japanese) were doing great because they made fuel efficient products people want to buy and shunned the UAW. I havent heard much of his commentary since Toyota and others announced billions in losses.
06/25, 10:37 AM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
I didn’t read the article above, I couldn’t get my eyes off that photo of the 2010 Camry with the Venza grille now tacked on . Toyota seems to be gunning for Acura to take over the FUGLIEST car award from them.
06/25, 10:41 AM
posted by:
tripleonefive
Toyota would be in better shape if they made more fuel efficient products WTF ???
Now I know you are just crazy Patriotism blinds you to the facts I see
Perhaps Toyota should make half ass hybrids like GM that get 1more mpg then there gas counterpart
Maybe they should make a electric or hybrid electric or whatever and have it take 10 years to come out.
06/25, 10:46 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Geez what was that? Sounded like a sushi fart. Oh wait, it came from Toyoda’s direction. Damn good thing you can’t smell over the ‘net.
06/25, 10:58 AM
posted by:
CADDY-V
I think they will be looking at a third year loss and then some. The ball is already rolling down hill and they don’t know enough karate to stop it.
06/25, 11:13 AM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
you may think this story is about toyota, but it’s about the timing of the global economic recovery, which toyota thinks will be several years from now…in other words, be wary of the overly-optimistic reports saying the economy will be fine by the end of the year…the window of recession is lengthening…
06/25, 11:20 AM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
You’re right CADDY-V, Toyota and the rest of the Japanese are rolling all right. Right off of a cliff. The American Revolution that is General Motors is going to wipe Toyota and the rest of those pigs right off the planet. People want quality .people want reliability. people want a vehicle that will last 500 thousand miles without having any problems what soever. Just tyres, oil and gas, that’s it. Good luck getting 50 thousand out of a comparable Japcrap product. Those end up in the junkyard right after the warranty runs out!!!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Americans would rather drive a GM vehicle than a POS import. Toyotas chief Sushi-floater is getting a hard does at reality. Maybe they should save themselves the misery and pack it up now.
Buy American. Buy GM. it is your patriotic duty
06/25, 11:32 AM
posted by:
JakeK66
Oh it’s back to old times! I have a tear seeing NMOFGM and 1115 back on the board. It brings me back to before when all this bankruptcy talk was “unlikely” and we were blabbing about how the G8 would coming out as a coupe, wagon and trucklette… Simpler times.
06/25, 12:08 PM
posted by:
AlexTrebek
NMOFGM – is this the same GM that is in the crapper right now. i’m not a toyota fan by any means, never owned one, and never will. but the amount of retarded gibberish that spews out of your mouth is ridiculous. you have to bite the bullet already, and learn that GM is in the toilet for a reason: poorly managed company, producing poorly made cars. the truth hurts…..sorry.
06/25, 12:54 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
You might need to get with the current times dumass. GM is going to emerge from bankruptcy where it eliminated most of its debt load and is still building the finest, best quality vehicles in the world. Unlike yourself, GM is the most respected and honored car company in the world. Their quality, performance and relibility is second to nobody and they are American. Do yourself a favor and buy one, it’ll be the smartest decision you’ve ever made. Certainly smarter than than the BS that you spew on this website.
Buy American. Buy GM. It is your duty
06/25, 1:46 PM
posted by:
sj79
LOL, you have to admit he is hilarious. Unlike triple on stupid I dont think he is serious. I get the impression triple idiot is VERY serious about his nonsense.
06/25, 3:14 PM
posted by:
tripleonefive
NMOFGM is pure entertainment. He just talks **** provides no factual proof or links or logic behind his beliefs
SJ79 takes himself seriously but has no basis for his arguments so he relys on a JD Powers and CR until they become inconvienient for his bogus argument
This is a Domestic loving board but when my facts are stacked against the others I come out proving my point every time.
I’ve seen many idiots on this board drop bc they couldnt not prove that GM Ford and at the time Chrysler where better or equal to Toyota and Honda in resale reliabilty build quality
I await the next contender
06/25, 3:32 PM
posted by:
ghm73
This is fun! Just take the complete OPPOSITE of everything “Need more oil for GM” says and you’ve got THE TRUTH!! And run a spell check too. I’ll be driving by in my 257K mile Toyota that looks brand new. Because I know how to take care of a car and treat it right. And Toyota knows how to build a solid car. And the Japanese will do QUALITY work for less money. Sorry, it’s a fact. deal.
06/25, 3:36 PM
posted by:
ghm73
There is NO way NMOFGM is serious. Not possible. hilARious though!
06/25, 5:30 PM
posted by:
AlexTrebek
to triple one fanboy: speaking of not proving facts – i have yet to see you prove that your precious little imports hold their value better than other products. read my example before you come up with your same old argument. if i buy a new lambo for $375000, then choose to sell it in 2 years to buy a toyota prius for $21000. is the resale of the lambo much higher because i sold it for $135000???
now, on to a more challenged individual: NMOFGM – yes, GM will emerge from bankruptcy stronger and hopefully better. but they are still in the sh!tter because of what they were building. they are not the finest built vehicles on the planet. not even the finest built in N/A. according to ACTUAL FACTS, even Ford has done better than them. actually, according to facts, ford has recently passed honda in initial quality, and on the doorstep of toyota. oh, and to “triple one no proof” no, the resale value isn’t higher on your rice inspired imports.
thank you, and good night.
06/25, 8:45 PM
posted by:
tripleonefive
if i buy a new Lambo for $375,000, then choose to sell it in 2 years to buy a Toyota Prius for $21000. is the resale of the Lambo much higher because i sold it for $135,000???
—-Don’t give a **** about a Lambo its an irrelevant comparo and you know better. I know that you are desperate to prove a point that cant be proven but stop it. Redo it with a Toyota or Honda vs a comparable product from GM or Ford
actually, according to facts, ford has recently passed Honda in initial quality, and on the doorstep of toyota. oh, and to “triple one no proof†no, the resale value isn’t higher on your rice inspired imports.
—There are no facts from an automotive authority to prove that Ford ort GM is even close to Honda or Toyota. Im guessing you are talking about the 3 month study from Marketing research company that everyone is desparately clinging to. Let the Fords and GMs go to 100k and over and see and see where “initial quality” leaves you. What you need to do is show me where the evidence is that GM and Ford are on par from an automotive authority not a MR company that checks the reliability of digital cameras and insurance companies
When you do that then you may speak until then shut your mouth and remember that J2 still Reign supreme
06/25, 11:53 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Toyoda takes a traditional defensive position.
The best offense, in this economy, is a good defense
DrFill
06/25, 11:53 PM
posted by:
sprockkets
“Americans don’t want our POS, unreliable crap anymore.”
I accept your apology NMOFGM.
06/26, 10:52 AM
posted by:
sj79
“This is a Domestic loving board but when my facts are stacked against the others I come out proving my point every time.”
That was hilarious. This from the guy who claims to have all kinds of objective sources for his information but fails to produce a link. He then dismisses the two best known metrics for measuring quality because he doesn’t agree with their results. Camry holds 47% of value vs 45% for Malibu- hardly significant to any rational person. I would like to see a detailed analysis of resale values so I can see how far apart Detroit is from the Japanese on comparable models. I bet I wont ever see that though.
06/26, 11:33 AM
posted by:
Bubs Solo
1115 here is are example I showed you in the spring…
2006 Camry LE V6 w/50000km $13801 Source(CBB at toyota.ca)
2006 Fusion SEL V6 w/50000km $12026 Source(CBB at toyota.ca)
Difference $ 1775 for the Camry
2009 Camry LE V6 new vehicle purchase price $33036 Source toyota.ca
2009 Fusion SEL V6 new vehicle purchase price $22399 source ford.ca
Difference $10637 for the Camry
In three years the Camry lost 8862 more than the Fusion and what was your response back then?
LOL I love it people are claiming what Ill do and I could care less about any of you or the Fusion or malibooo
Still cant defeat my argument and Im not even going to response to the resale guy. Your aguments are bogus and they show the Camry and Accord have a higher resale so you are fools and also why not ask yourself why cant Ford sell a car at a Toyota price point ?
HMMMM
so predictable I show where I get my info from (you don’t) and my info is bogus??? Toyota’s website I not a reliable source??? When you get burned and lose are argument just be a man and admit defeat.
1115 what color is the sky in your world????
06/26, 12:18 PM
posted by:
AlexTrebek
1115 – i believe that bubs solo has given the comparisons with a ford a few times now. i’m sure those numbers still haunt you till this day.
oh, and the lambo comparison is not irrelevant, it’s just an exaggerated comparison to show you what depreciation really is. it would appear that you import fanatics don’t completely understand.
06/26, 5:14 PM
posted by:
sprockkets
Bubs Solo, i’m not saying you are completely wrong, but are those equivalent trim levels?
06/26, 6:06 PM
posted by:
AlexTrebek
i checked it out, and aparently that’s as close as you can get.
06/26, 6:44 PM
posted by:
Bubs Solo
yes in Canada those are as close as you can get. to be fair to Toyota I add a block heater to the Fusion.
I didn’t add the Blue Tooth add to the Camry even though the Fusion has sync.
06/27, 10:18 AM
posted by:
AlexTrebek
where did triple go? did he get scared of facts??
06/29, 9:54 AM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
Toyota will be out of business by the next decade. Another victim of the American Revolution. Everyone would rather drive an American vehicle not some POS unreliable japcrap.
Buy American. Buy GM. It is your patriotic duty