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Matthew C. Keegan asked:


General Motors has a long and illustrious history, one that began in 1908 with the merger of several auto companies into one entity. For the past 77 years, GM has enjoyed the title of world’s largest automaker, but that crown passed to Toyota Motor Corporation last year.

Toyota had been gaining on GM for years as the American automaker’s sales numbers stagnated or, as was the case last year, actually fell by several hundred thousand units. Despite selling more cars in China and in the United States than any other car maker, GM couldn’t keep their momentum going and actually sold approximately 600,000 fewer units than Toyota in 2008.

Credit should be given to Toyota who has persistently chipped at GM’s lead, making bold statements a few year’s back that they were poised to overtake GM when they were only selling two-thirds the number of cars as the old number one was then selling. Small, fuel efficient cars are the hallmark of Toyota, but the company has also taken a leadership role in the luxury car segment thanks to its Lexus line. For good measure, Toyota rolled out its youthful Scion division six years ago, another way that the company has been able to increase its visibility which has led to improved sales.

GM has also contributed to Toyota’s ascendancy as the company has rarely broken past its record selling pace of 9.5 million vehicles set some thirty years ago. Declining market share at home has led to most of that drop while its inability to conquer established European markets has also taken its toll. Without its strong presence in China, GM’s overall fortunes would have been much worse, likely spelling the end of the automaker.

Going forward, GM could rebound and see a sales increase beginning this year. Dogging the company, however, is its precarious financial position, one that could scuttle its recovery effort. Recently, GM announced that they would be consolidating operations and closing down or selling off excess brands, a move that could allow a trimmer GM to become profitable and grab more sales.

Lest anyone think that Toyota is moving forward trouble free, think again. In 2008, Toyota’s sales actually dropped, but not as severely as GM’s. In addition, the company is poised to report its first operating loss in its 70 year history, not a big drop but enough of a loss to concern Toyota management. Indeed, the Japanese car make recently replaced its CEO with the grandson of the founder of Toyota in a bid to reinvigorate sales.

Though the company is now #2, GM could borrow a phrase from rental car operator, Avis, and tell its customers, “we try harder.” That might work!

Toyota was established as a joint venture between Kirloskar Group and Toyota Motor Corporation, in 1997 with a burning desire to carve its own niche in the Indian car market.

The first Toyota car in the Indian car was the Toyota Qualis in 2000. Thereafter Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, and Toyota Innova were introduced in the Indian market. Though the numbers of car models are low but all the Toyota cars have created a benchmark in the industry with their rugged structure, excellent appeal, and unmatched performance.

Toyota Innova is one of the leading SUV in the Indian car market that has won the hearts of many car consumers. Even today, there are number of Innova found on Indian roads. The company has recently introduced a facelift version of Innova that has added to the worth and demand of the car in the industry.

Today, after years Toyota has accomplished its own space in the Indian car industry and is still strengthening its presence in the country. The company is continuously creating intelligent solutions to meet the present day mobility challenges and introduce technologies well suited for the future generation.

The reasons why Toyota Cars are successful and winning in both the domestic and international car market are as follows:

Innovation

The quest for innovation is the first philosophy of Toyota cars. This makes a strong platform purely based on advanced and new technologies that may improve the present day status of the car industry and further brighten the industry in years to come. Unconventional ideas, new concepts, improved marketing strategies, and car testing in real-life conditions, are all the steeping stones of Toyota’s success. The company is still in process to introduce new concepts and advancements to fit perfect to the growing needs of the increasing customer base and the need of future drivers.

Engine

Improving car engine technology every now and then with the changing pace of time and requirement, is another philosophy of Toyota. The company has the best of engines that make Toyota cars an asset for the car owner as well as the industry. Toyota has designed a range of award winning engines with highest degree of quality and performance standards. The unique Toyota engine, advanced variable valve technology (VVT-i), is known to deliver best performance, good responsiveness, excellent fuel efficiency, and reduced emissions.

Common-rail turbo diesels (D-4D) and the Toyota Hybrid System (THS) are also among the best engines in the Indian car market.

Safety

Safety is always a top priority for all car manufacturers today but for Toyota its one of the most important business philosophy. The company is introducing innovative and advanced car safety features like advanced steering control, SRS airbags, traction control, anti-lock brake, and a number of other features to ensure safety for both the driver and the passengers. All Toyota cars are carefully and smartly designed to maximize safety. Even the car body and chassis are built in such a way that it absorbs the impact of collision and provide maximum protection.



By: Carazoo.com

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Benjamin Hudson asked:


The World Expo Group Shanghai International Exhibition (WEGSIE) Co. Ltd. announced that Auto Shanghai 2007, revolving on the theme “Technology and Nature in Harmony”, ended with great success last April 28. Auto Shanghai 2007 attracted over 1300 exhibitors from 21 countries and regions with a total exhibition scale of 140000 square meters. The organizers said they have dedicated themselves to positioning Auto Shanghai as an A-Class auto show by showcasing professionalism, internationalization and branding.

Well known Brands’ automobile groups treat Auto Shanghai as one of the important international A-Class auto shows, no matter what the investments, quantity, or quality of exhibited vehicles, the first appearance cars and concept cars are.

Present during the press day were General Motors Corporation Chairman G. Richard Wagoner Jr.; BMW Chairman Dr. Norbert Reithofer; Volkswagen Group Executive Vice President Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland; Toyota Motor Group Vice Chairman Yoshi Inaba; and well-known vehicles designers.

Based on the theme of the Auto Shanghai 2007, which was ‘Technology and Nature in Harmony’, exhibitors showcased and unveiled their energy saving, solar energy, non-air polluting cars. This made the Auto Shanghai 2007 a high-tech event, which has the ability to profoundly transform the concept of car.

Eight hundred sixty eight was the total number of exhibited cars, overseas cars numbered to 265, among which 130 were imported directly from overseas and 603 were domestically manufactured cars. There were a total of 5 global first appearance cars, over 20 concept cars, 10 new energy cars, which rank the top among all editions, on display that offered the visitors a broad range of choices.

During the whole exhibition period that was from April 20 to 28, over 500,000 visitors from 108 countries and regions came to visit Auto Shanghai 2007. The 22nd of April was the first day the show was opened to trade visitors. One hundred three thousand five hundred sixty seven (103,567) visitors from 92 countries and regions showed up, topping in visitors per day the previous record in the history of Auto Shanghai.

In line with the international service standard, organizers have launched a series of high-tech and human-oriented services solutions. The organizers were well prepared with comprehensive plans in advance and launched onsite emergency resolutions, which ensured the onsite feedback in a timely manner.

Each news media outlet has shown great interest in the said auto exhibition. The international mainstream media, like AP, Reuters, AFP, BBC, NHK, CNN, The Auto Channel, Forbes, Bloomberg LP, Dow Jones, Japanese Economic News, JNA Jijiga News Agency, and others covered Auto Shanghai 2007. CCTV, SMG Beijing Jiaotong Channel, and such portals and noted websites such as Sina, Sohu, and Netease also reported on Auto Shanghai 2007 in a comprehensive way. During the exhibition, media centers greeted 6286 journalists from China and abroad in 43 different countries and regions.

Meanwhile, domestically-owned auto brands with their quality auto parts (like VW wiper relays) were hardly neglected, showing themselves to be an important power in Auto Shanghai 2007, creating great involvement. Their exhibition space was relatively close to overseas brands as well as all released new cars and concept cars.