Featured Toyota Motor North America: New BEV Coming In 'Short Term'

iow: 'we're not interested in leading, we're interested in profit'

 

Said every HONEST company out there. Notice how few actually say that though.

 

Source: Elon Musk: There is not a demand problem for the Tesla Model 3 – TechCrunch

Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s opening comments at the annual shareholder’s meeting went straight to a question that has been looming over the automaker since it reported wider-than-expected losses and a one-third drop in deliveries in the first quarter: demand.

“We get this question a lot. I want to be clear, there is not a demand problem,” Musk said.

But he didn’t stop there. Musk quickly added that sales have far exceeded production. “Production has been pretty good,” Musk said. “So Tesla has a decent shot at a record quarter on every level — if not, it’s going to be very close.”​

Bob Wilson

 

lead. or get out the way.

looks like every legacy mfg has taken the latter.

 

Why lead - too many leaders have gone belly-up. How many good ideas ended up killing companies?

If you look at TESLA - if it wasn't for capital from Musk, it would have died a 1000 deaths.

 

EV1?

Bob Wilson

 

It was not the EV1 that almost killed Government Motors.

 

only because toyota set the standard with prius. that was a big risk, and must have cost some serious investment.
nowadays, they seem a different company

 

“Lead, follow, or get out of the way”.

After Toyota’s leadership in hybrids, I fully expected them to continue.
This is good news though, I am happy to see Toyota following, rather than trying to get in the way of the market.

 

It was perceived quality. I haven't considered a big-3 car in the last 30 years. Which is not to say I don't value made in the US with US content. My wife's Avalon was the highest US content car made the year we bought it.

 

Interested in short term profit and government subsidies versus long term profit.

Of course a big move to plug-ins - phev and bevs will hurt the dealer network. They can't charge as much so they have to have higher margins on new car sales or fewer dealerships.

 

and toyota probably has the worst dealer network in n/a

 

I remember when hybrid Camry was just around the corner, waited 3 yrs and went with Prius because the first TCH was nothing to write home about...better today though.

GM pushing hard for USA EV mandates, and they must feel that scenario is more profitable for them. If EV is mandated, as a CAFE credit to allow selling pick-ups and SUV's too, what's not to like? I do not really like it, but just saying where we seem to be heading.

 

or just hoping not to be left in the dust when the time comes. still, it's more hype than action

 

The US content is not the issue. It is the toxic corporate culture of US auto makers.

 

I think Toyota has waited until they knew they could do it well. Which stills means superior battery technology and life.

 

It is said be prepared for prodution soon, and premieres the e-TNGA first mid-size platform:

Toyota to Preview All-New Battery Electric SUV

 

partly true ... it was love of the status quo ... versus their own early day master piece (meant for show only) was unfortunately viewed as a Frankenstein ... too difficult to make tons of money on with little service revenue compared to the status quo.
.

 

Lexus has revealed their next gen DIRECT4 drive in Europe:

LEXUS REVEALS DIRECT4 NEXT-GENERATION ELECTRIC DRIVE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY

Fits well with their hybrid and future EV plans.


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