Toyota to overtake GM?

[TilliamWe]

Re: Toyota to overtake GM?

Originally posted by KaGee:<br /> I guess i drive a "Triscape"<br /><br />It's really listed as an "Escape" by Ford, but is also labled as "Tribute" under the Mazda brand. Another one of them "Joint Venture" products.

No joint venture at all, actually. Ford owns Mazda (and Volvo), and that Tribute is all Ford. Same as the Navajo was all Explorer.<br />At least two have referred to Mitsu as being wholly owned by Daimler Chrysler. That is not the case. Chrysler owned part of them, but not all. The "joint venture" plant here in Normal,IL, is and always was, a Mitsubishi plant. They still make a car or two for Chrysler, but not for long. Mitsu is in REAL trouble. <br /> DJ wrote regarding Caterpillar:<br />

Yes, they are thriving, however their prosperity has NOTHING to do with the way they have, or have not, changed the way they do business. Their union is stonger, than ever, and getting ready to really choke them.

Uuummm, you missed their last contract didn't you? It will set the standard in the industry. (that's a wake up to Quad City based John Deere & Case) Retirees pay healthcare premiums for the first time. Union laborers pay healthcare premiums for the first time. More "supplementary" workers can be hired with no benefits. Starting wages can be as low as $12/hr for line workers. I am taking this from the TV & newspaper accounts, as I am not a CAT employee. Fact is in these parts, people say that CAT "broke" the union in the mid 90's after the terrible strike, and all the guys who crossed it. So Big Yellow is set for a few years to come. Komatsu has a place here too, but I don't hear too much about it.<br />Anyway, it was only a matter of time before Toyota passed GM in production. Did that news article mention whether GM still owns part of Toyota?

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Toyota to overtake GM?

Welcome to the confusing world of automotive badging & rebadging...............<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=010486;p=1#000000

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Toyota to overtake GM?

<br /> At least two have referred to Mitsu as being wholly owned by Daimler Chrysler. That is not the case. Chrysler owned part of them, but not all.he "joint venture" plant here in Normal,IL, is and always was, a Mitsubishi plant. They still make a car or two for Chrysler, but not for long. Mitsu is in REAL trouble.

that plant may still be a Mitsu plant but Daimler Chrysler have the majority ownership in the whole Mitsu Corp. so they have all the saying. I don't know about the tie between Toyota and GM but if GM have some ownership it would be the minority ownership and Toyota still make the final decision.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Toyota to overtake GM?

Originally posted by TilliamWe:<br /> No joint venture at all, actually. Ford owns Mazda (and Volvo), and that Tribute is all Ford.

Hey T...<br /><br />The "MAZDA" plant 20 minutes from here is now re-named "Joint Venture". The only reference to Mazda or Ford is the huge banners in the side, one of a Mazda (forget which one) and another of the new Mustang, which are both made inside.<br /><br />In researching my ESCAPE prior to purchase, the chassis was designed by the Mazda engineering group, incorporating a FORD powertrain package.

 

[PW2]

Re: Toyota to overtake GM?

We use heavy equipment all the time, and the Komatsu is a fine piece of equipment. It is not cheaper than Cat for a comparable machine--it tends to be slightly higher than Cat, as a matter of fact.<br /><br />It is a difficult choice between the Cat and Komatsu, as they are both fine pieces of equipment.<br /><br />Dae Woo(sp?), OTOH, is about 1/2 the price, and not many of them are being sold. You get what you pay for...

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Toyota to overtake GM?

Keith ain't marketing wonderful? Is that the Flat Rock,MI plant by any chance? And yeah, lots of "Ford" vehicles have been engineered by "Mazda" <br /><br />

that plant may still be a Mitsu plant but Daimler Chrysler have the majority ownership in the whole Mitsu Corp. so they have all the saying.

Uuum, gotta disagree there too, gone. Never been a DC guy there to do anything. It was Mitsu USA that laid off the workers last year, and only Mitsu spokesmen that issue statements. I will double check with my 5 friends that have worked there since before it opened, and see if they know that DC is calling the shots. I'll report back to ya.<br />Where did you learn that DC has a "majority stake" ? I always read that Chrysler had a minority share of Mitsu.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Toyota to overtake GM?

<br />Where did you learn that DC has a "majority stake" ? I always read that Chrysler had a minority share of Mitsu.<br /><br />

I should have said Mitshubishi Motors instead of Mitshubishi Corp. A Dodge saleperson told me about it when I ask him why there is a Mitshubishi motor in a Dodge. USA today confirmed it too. <br /> http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2004-04-13-daimler-mitsubishi_x.htm

 

[KaGee]

Re: Toyota to overtake GM?

Yes TilliamWe, that would be the Flat Rock plant, just north of Monroe Michigan.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Toyota to overtake GM?

Originally posted by KaGee:<br /> Yes TilliamWe, that would be the Flat Rock plant, just north of Monroe Michigan.

Originally built to make Ford Probe/Mazda MX6 correct?

 

[Barbee Q]

Re: Toyota to overtake GM?

I like all american and some foriegn rides, its working on them I hate.. I just wish they would make a vehicle that is adsolutely low maintenance garantee'd.. But then I'm dreaming again.. To much money to be made on parts, service warrantees, and labor. Sence the 1970's the manufactures have been coming up with ways to keep us buying and the company's in business. My mom has a 1969 Ford 2-door Mercury Montego. If you open up the hood I can tell you everything in that car.. If I open up a hood on a newer car, I can't even see the firewall.. I feel like I just got a crash course on a new foriegn language and a big bill to boot..

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Toyota to overtake GM?

They do BD! if you can afford them. Lexus, Infinity, BMW, Mercedes, Bently, and a few other high end stuff. You get what you paid for.

 

[Barbee Q]

Re: Toyota to overtake GM?

You haven't had to go out and buy these "Quote" Special tools lately to work on them.. One special curved tool is about $100 bucks. Warrentees are only good for so long then you have to pay about $75 hr for a certified machanic to do a simple rocker arm cover seal.. Ya, you get what you pay for all right. It should be, How much money can we get out you, for driving the above. Ya, as you go to the repair shop in one of those cars the machanic puts his nose in the air.. Smells like 500 bucks..

 

[DJ]

Re: Toyota to overtake GM?

Ford/Mazda "joint venture" is a misnomer.<br /><br />They are one in the same.<br /><br />The Flat Rock plant builds many "Mazda" labeled products, along with others.<br /><br />Escapes/Tributes are NOT built there. They are built in Ohio and Missouri.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Toyota to overtake GM?

Originally posted by TilliamWe:<br />

Originally posted by KaGee:<br /> Yes TilliamWe, that would be the Flat Rock plant, just north of Monroe Michigan.

Originally built to make Ford Probe/Mazda MX6 correct?

Yes, as I recall that was the first production there. At the time, Ford had no financial stake in Mazda. They bought 50% of the plant back in 1992.<br /><br />Oh, and the correct current name for the plant is "Auto Alliance International". They make the MAzda 6 and the Mustang.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Toyota to overtake GM?

Originally posted by DJ:<br /> The Flat Rock plant builds many "Mazda" labeled products, along with others.<br />

The plant first opened in 1987 and previously assembled the Ford Probe and Mazda MX-6. <br />The plant then built the Mazda 626 sedan, which was replaced by the current Mazda6.<br /><br />The Mercury Cougar coupe, which Ford discontinued after the 2002 model year was also assembled there. <br /><br />That is the history of that facility according to the DETROIT NEWS archives.