Jump to content
News
Reviews
Discussons
Activity
Create New...
Close

  • 💬 Join the Conversation

    CnG Logo SQ 2023 RedBlue FavIcon300w.png
    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has been the go-to hub for automotive enthusiasts. Join today to access our vibrant forums, upload your vehicle to the Garage, and connect with fellow gearheads around the world.

     

  • William Maley
    William Maley

    By William Maley •

    Toyota is "Taking a Hard Look" At Their U.S. Lineup, May Cut Some Models

      But don't expect a dramatic cut in their passenger lineup

    Toyota isn't immune to the falling sales of passenger vehicles as more buyers trend towards trucks and SUVs. In the first ten months of this year, cars are down 11.1 percent. Meanwhile, trucks are up 7.7 percent. This has the Japanese automaker considering dropping some models.

    "We are taking a hard look at all of the segments that we compete in to make sure we are competing in profitable segments and that products we sell have strategic value," said Jim Lentz, Toyota's North America CEO after the automaker reported an increase in quarterly profits.

    Unlike Ford which is revamping its lineup to changing consumer tastes, Toyota isn't planning to "abandon passenger cars," instead "scrutinizing offerings in some areas, such as convertibles or coupes." No mention was made of the models on the chopping block, but we have a possible few candidates.

    • Yaris: Sales have dropped 38 percent this year
    • Prius C : Not big a seller and hasn't really been updated aside from the 2018 model Pruis C we reviewed last month.
    • Lexus RC: Sales down 52 percent so far in 2018
    • Lexus GS: Been long rumored to be heading to the gallows
    Go to articles

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    smk4565

    Lexus GS can die off, the German sedans crush it, and Lexus has the ES which is a midsized car for less money than a GS and their buyers are fine with it.  RC is a coupe of an existing model, so I don't know if that is so much it's own model, they could call it IS coupe if they wanted.

    The Avalon they can do without because the top trim Camry is about as nice as an Avalon, and if you want a car a little bit nicer than a Camry they have the Lexus ES which shares a platform and drivetrain with the Avalon.

    They need something below the Corolla I think, and if the Yaris is built by Mazda or shared however they do it, that may not really be costing Toyota much.  

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    A Horse With No Name
    2 hours ago, balthazar said:

    They could do the USDM a huge favor, and pull out entirely. ;)

    I would rather loose Ford than Toyota.

    2 hours ago, Robert Hall said:

    No reason to leave.  The US is one of their biggest markets and they have many employees here.  

    Turning a profit and have a decent reputation...no reason for them to leave.

    • Confused 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    G. David Felt

    I think Toyota could cut half their car models and still do very well here.

    Today, at the tail end of dusk when it is almost solid black, I saw so many toyota cars, cuvs and trucks with no lights on. I honestly do not understand how someone can drive with no lights on when it is almost pitch black. Toyota drivers are the 2nd worst right behind BMW drivers. MB drivers are a solid 3rd.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    KevinW
    On 11/8/2018 at 11:16 PM, dfelt said:

    Today, at the tail end of dusk when it is almost solid black, I saw so many toyota cars, cuvs and trucks with no lights on. I honestly do not understand how someone can drive with no lights on when it is almost pitch black. Toyota drivers are the 2nd worst right behind BMW drivers. MB drivers are a solid 3rd.


    It's the same around here.   They're driving around with only the DRLs providing minimal forward lighting, and from the sides and rear, only the required reflectors provide any visual indication of their presence.  Some manufacturers activate *only* the instrument panel lighting when it's dark, tricking many drivers into thinking their external lights are on.  This is an extremely poor design decision, but I haven't come across any legal action yet.

    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    balthazar

    Saw a few year old Acura SUV driving on a tree-lined residential street last week, completely dark front & rear at 9PM. Even if the dash lights come on, all these cars have automatic lights, don't they? I'm continually turning my headlights off (NOT the DRLs) when they come on during the day, just because I'm not in direct sunlight or the like. They go on TOO often, and my truck is 15 years old.

    Edited by balthazar
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Robert Hall
    1 hour ago, balthazar said:

    Saw a few year old Acura SUV driving on a tree-lined residential street last week, completely dark front & rear at 9PM. Even if the dash lights come on, all these cars have automatic lights, don't they? I'm continually turning my headlights off (NOT the DRLs) when they come on during the day, just because I'm not in direct sunlight or the like. They go on TOO often, and my truck is 15 years old.

    Automatic lights are a setting, though.  My Jeep has automatic lights, but if I have the light switch in the off position then they work like old school lights and you have to turn them on and off.   (automatic is a separate position from off).

    Edited by Robert Hall
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    balthazar

    Well, not on everything. My lights are either on 'automatic' or 'parking lights' or 'headlights'. IOW; if they weren't on auto, they'd just stay on & bing at me frantically when the door opens.
    With all the nanny-device lovers out there, I'm surprised anyone would willingly ever turn their lights to 'off'.

    Edited by balthazar
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Robert Hall

    Interesting..odd to hear of automatic without normal off also.  I think my sister's STS and Trax have automatic w/ regular off also. My old Jeep had automatic and off settings also, I quit using the automatic setting after they started coming on randomly when parked.    I've been using the automatic setting on my newer Jeep, and have the DRLs enabled as well.  Get enough cloudy weather I like having them on. 

    Edited by Robert Hall
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    G. David Felt

    GM who I believe invented and clearly one of the first to use day time running lights has made it standard that you have an off, but the switch moves back to marker. So if you wanted, you can switch the headlights to off but not the marker lights and then turn it one more place to auto. 

    I agree with @balthazar I see no reason for anyone to take them out of auto mode.

    I suspect as I have learned this weekend that many english as a second language drivers here do not understand that the lights auto turn off after a set time. 

    Driving is a privilege earned and so many around me think it is a right and folks that cannot speak English get a license and a car and never read the owners manual as they do not understand how to read and as such they get in a habit of turning everything off even auto lights.

    Helped my wife with some Koreans who were shocked to learn you do leave the light switch in the auto mode on. She translated and they were happy to finally understand. After this, I now feel strongly that all those dark auto's truly are people that are ignorant of how the lights work.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    balthazar

    My radio off button is now inoperative, so I have the same parameters in play. At least it stopped working with the radio on.

    My truck is really getting elderly. A lot of little things are on the fritz.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Robert Hall
    6 minutes ago, balthazar said:

    My radio off button is now inoperative, so I have the same parameters in play. At least it stopped working with the radio on.

    My truck is really getting elderly. A lot of little things are on the fritz.

    How many miles you have now?   My old Jeep started really feeling it's age above 150k miles.   The power windows and locks would randomly work, the airbag light would come on when I turned left,  power mirrors quit.. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    balthazar

    186K. Powertrain/running gear is like a rock, I never doubt it. Body is still excellent. But a bunch of little bits in the last year or so are giving up. only 1 speaker left, driver power mirror doesn't work (tho obviously I can adjust from seat), fan only currently working on 5 (hope is lasts thru winter), dome light stopped working when door opens (but still does manually), parking brake cable snapped (its on my list to attend to, about 2 yrs without by now). ABS light is also on, but I think it's just unplugged at one wheel.
    It's been a great truck- I got it with 46K on it and it's really overbuilt, but hope to replace it within the next 12 months. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    A Horse With No Name
    10 hours ago, balthazar said:

    186K. Powertrain/running gear is like a rock, I never doubt it. Body is still excellent. But a bunch of little bits in the last year or so are giving up. only 1 speaker left, driver power mirror doesn't work (tho obviously I can adjust from seat), fan only currently working on 5 (hope is lasts thru winter), dome light stopped working when door opens (but still does manually), parking brake cable snapped (its on my list to attend to, about 2 yrs without by now). ABS light is also on, but I think it's just unplugged at one wheel.
    It's been a great truck- I got it with 46K on it and it's really overbuilt, but hope to replace it within the next 12 months. 

    Good luck with your next choice. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

    ×



  • Support Real Automotive Journalism

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has delivered real content and honest opinions — not emotionless AI output or manufacturer-filtered fluff.

    If you value independent voices and authentic reviews, consider subscribing. Plans start at just $2.25/month, and paid members enjoy an ad-light experience.*

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • Robert Hall
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By Robert Hall · Posted

      I find my self looking for the indicator in the fuel gauge often, 50/50 in my household...Jeep and Equinox fuel door on the driver's side, Mustang and Cadillac on the passenger side.   And the releases are all different... button on the lower left dash on the Jeep, push in on the fuel door w/ the Equinox, button in the glove box on the Mustang, remote for the Cadillac. 
    • trinacriabob
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By trinacriabob · Posted

      First random thought: It always makes for a sigh of relief when they hand me the keys to a Malibu Second random thought: I'm irritated by fuel tank filler doors that are not on the same side as the driver's door
    • G. David Felt
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      No tough corner, it is amazing to think you feel there is no degradation in a 20yr old ICE auto. I know that both EV and ICE wear out, battery packs will outlive the actual EV and ICE auto.  At this point we do not have enough data to know if the EV motors will lose as much hp/torque as an ICE does over 20yrs of use and depending on how an auto is cared for it can be big changes or minimal changes. I know my Escalade is in much better shape than most and being it is garage kept; it is out of the elements and sun just like my EV is. With that, I also know I have two oil leaks after 200,000 plus miles. The oil pan and another leak that I suspect is at the input of the transmission to the engine. Both are so minimal that the thousands it costs to repair the gaskets does not justify the expense. I can also tell you that the response of the V8 is NOT what it was when it was new. I do not expect the EV to be the same after 200,000 miles either. No corner here to worry about, both autos will wear out, I can also say that my Escalade does not get the 15 mpg it got new and now averages 12 mpg. A 20% decrease in MPG after 200,000 miles of use and 19 years old. With out a compression test, I could not tell you how worn the rings are, though since I have only ever used synthetic in the engine, I would have to think it is minimal as I do not burn any oil, but the overall engine has wear and tear and it is clearly tired in comparison to a new motor. End result is as the original story stated, the EV battery pack will outlive the auto and that will outlive most ICE auto's as while we have the average age now just a little over 12yrs old, most ICE are not on the road after 20 years.
    • ccap41
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By ccap41 · Posted

      I know you're put into a corner when you'll do anything to defend your EVs and your Escalade. It's tough to admit that your Escalade isn't wore out but you're trying to say 20 year old cars are all worn out at the same time. 
    • ccap41
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By ccap41 · Posted

      No, it is not. A 20 year old ICE vehicle is not losing any SIGNIFICANT amount of range or power output.    So you're basically saying your Escalade is a piece of junk at this point? It's 20 years old. I think we both know it's probably pretty close to OEM status when it comes to output and range, right?  Even if they aren't as simple as a good tune-up away, they are still way closer to factory output and range than a 20 year old EV will be. 

  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

I've whitelisted
Continue without support

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search