Comments on: Is Toyota The Answer?

By: Prof pi

Prof pi — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:32:24 +0000

Check the financial pages; by this time next year Chrysler will no longer exist, sold in parts or whole to another company and not likely GM. Ford (the family, which collectively owns controlling share) will for reasons of ego file Chapter 11 before they sell. Toyota is the only company that has been moving with the US market for the last 15 years and hence has cash. The fact is that Toyota could buy both GM and Ford from last year’s retained earnings.
Racing is going to change, A LOT, in the next few years.
American LeMans Series is much more interesting, they have two teams running diesel cars, and Zytek will run an electric hybrid next year.
Meanwhile, NASCAR clings to naturally aspirated, push rod V8 engines, last seen in a production car when Jimmy Carter was in the White House. Even worse, NASCAR has taken the Cup series to the IROC route.
In 10 years I’ve gone from attending 4 or more NASCAR races a year, to attending none, to only watching on TV, to (now) seldom watching any NASCAR race,…. the reason in one word: BORING.
Hello, Daytona Beach, you have a problem.

By: Bobby

Bobby — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:41:04 +0000

Sure, let them all go to Toyota’s. Dodge is doomed, GM is right behind them soon to follow is Ford. The only choice we’ll have is Toyota’s and few other imports.

By: Neon

Neon — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:46:48 +0000

Whether it be Toyota, Ford, Dodge or Chevy, I always wonder the reasoning behind NASCAR still running a push-rod motor. At least the BIG-3 “used to put ‘em in their street cars. Toyota never has and yet they still jumped in the game and are performing well. Toyota really had to “dumb down” to get in the circus.
Not to mention a rear wheel drive Camry, Charger, Malibu or Fusion (Taurus-or whatever they call it now). I can’t remember the last time I saw RWD in any of ‘em. It really would have been interesting if Cale Yarboroughs group of Trac- Car would have taken off. We’d be watching some really cool cars on Sunday (& Sat night).

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 18:03:09 +0000

For whatever reason Dodge has not been that competitive, aside from a handful of wins here and there.

As of last week GM was in talks to purchase Dodge. needless to say, it would be a smart idea for GEM to switch to toyota while the getting is good.

Like wise Ford has also been looking for a suitor !

I guess in the grand scheme of things Toyota might be the answer.However,I would hate to see a 43 car field of all Toyotas!!

By: Zieke

Zieke — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:21:11 +0000

Why switch to Toyota? The answer is MONEY!!! Toyota has lots of it and isn’t afraid to spend it. Incidently, I wonder how much longer they will put up with MWR and their lousy performances in Sprint Cup racing. Maybe GEM will replace them.

By: Mike Obrecht

Mike Obrecht — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:20:28 +0000

Teams need to transfer from Dodge as that company will be gone as we know it in rather short order. A good effort on Dodge’s racing side, but ultimately, the company has fail and will go away in total, or bit by bit. And sooner, than later.
Toyota will be the main player and hoping GM and Ford survice the next two years.
Mike

By: vettesnfrets

vettesnfrets — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 10:37:14 +0000

remember when the standard 5k was paid to each top team for the best result at the track from ones manufacturer?
Then Ford raised the payout to 10 and even 15k,GM refused to budge and after the raised the payout ford had 3 cars to 1 on the track compared to GM .

I wonder what toyota is paying?

Hell, I have to wonder what the payout is now from GM,ford and dodge? I’m sure it’s nowhere near what the Toys are getting.