Comments on: Learning from Toyota’s faltering drive

By: Sunny Bindra

Sunny Bindra — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:51:13 +0000

Mwangi:

True, most cars in Kenya are mitumba. But note that I have nothing against Toyotas per se: I am merely an observer of business strategies and I sense Toyota going off the track in recent years.
Certainly it is popular in Kenya for a reason, but in countries which are strict about second-hand usage, like China and India, it has problems.

By: John Nasaye

John Nasaye — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:25:16 +0000

well,
i think i will be interested in how this unfolds.
the new man has an acceptable level of awareness… i think he may be the organization’s best shot….

lets see.

By: Sunny Bindra

Sunny Bindra — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:33:58 +0000

John:

Hello again! Toyota remains an eminently successful company, and the global market leader. But as I was trying to point out, some of the strategy is unravelling. They are not competitive at the higher end because of styling and ride limitations; and increasingly losing the lower end in key emerging markets to Hyundai, Suzuki, Tata etc.

But the new man in charge seems to be on to this – let’s see how the situation evolves.

By: John Nasaye

John Nasaye — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:53:32 +0000

Sunny,
i really do agree with this analysis. it is indeed high time Toyota review their strategy of çheaper alternative’ and mass production theory and perhaps look into other non-structural factors like style, appeal, technology and lifestyle.
that is perhaps a long shot and they will have to expend a lot of effort and resources to change that perception. i mean, havent you met people who tell you they just cant buy or drive a toyota, without any clear reason. a total makeover of the brand might be their best shot.
well its becoming all too clear that comparative advantage is fast moving away from structural factors like natural resources, organizational size, price and such like to factors like innovation, uniqueness, product and service design…. what do you think Sunny?
i know you now enjoy your cars because of non-structural reasons like pricing and all…. or the overly exaggerated and much talked about fuel consumption rates amongst the ‘Toyota circles”!
i mean, doesnt the new Mercedes C class have one of the lowest fuel consumption rates?

By: mwangi Ngamate

mwangi Ngamate — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:53:54 +0000

When they say that the car infront is always a toyota, in Kenya how true this is. Toyota cars are very reliable having driven the jallopies that were ten years old this car showed to be the best for me. I would buy it second hand and it required no major repairwork in the many instances. So if you are talking of a new car owner your article makes a lot of sense but it flies past sense for those of us who know that a used car is important.