Why is Ford losing out to Toyota?

Answer 1

Because of the UAW

Answer 2

Toyota is more efficient at manufacturing and they don't have the legacy costs that Ford or GM has.

Ford has been building cars for 103 years, there are a lot of retirees associated with that. Toyota doesn't have half the base of retirees to pay for. Ford's mistake was agreeing to big payouts when times were good. Now times are bad and those payouts are hurting.

Toyota reliability is a myth, the media just doesn't cover it. Last year, Toyota recalled more vehicles than they built. This year, they already recalled 553,000 Sequoias and Tundras. In Japan, they're investigating cover ups from Toyota on quality issues. J.D. Powers and Consumer Reports even recognizes a leveling of the quality playing field.

Toyota's sell primarily on their image of reliability. I don't think Toyotas are any better looking than Fords. The new Camry looks rather big and bulbous, but that's subjective. Lexus on the other hand does pretty well with the IS and LS. The ES too closely resembles the Camry corporate twin.

Answer 3

ford builds their cars in America. This means they have to pay at least minimum wage. Toyota does not, as they are a foreign company. Because of this, Toyota can charge less for a car because they don't have to pay the workers nearly as much (sometimes less than a few $$ per day).

Answer 4

Not just Ford....everybody loses to Toyota...the Camry is the most popular model car in the world...even beating out the Honda Accord.

Answer 5

I’ll try to give you a serious answer, just in case yours was a serious question. I say try because the answer is extremely complex. But let’s try to hit the hilights.

First, Ford made a lot of fundamentally bad decisions in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. The most significant detrimental decisions involved (1) pay and benefits, (2) production methods, (3) quality or lack there of and (4) not adapting to the market place (giving the customer what they want).

Examples. (1) Pay and benefits were programmed and promised at a level that could not be maintained. (2) Production methods were not improved to be made more efficient. (3) They were not committed to producing good quality products. (4) Completely ignoring smaller fuel efficient vehicles, they were caught flat footed during the early 70s fuel crisis.

Second, others such as Toyota and Honda committed to producing top quality vehicles that met their customers’ needs. Ask the Japanese and they’ll tell you they didn’t invent quality. Remember, in the 40s and 50s, everything produced in Japan was referred to as “junk”. But they read Demming’s American book on quality and decided that was the way to go. So have their customers. And remember, they’re doing it mostly in NA with an NA labor force. (Labor costs in Japan, by the way are generally HIGHER than in NA.)

What has/is happening to Ford is not an overnight phenomenon but the result of over thirty years of mismanagement. The saying in the auto industry is “it’s product, product, product”. If you don’t produce good quality product at competitive prices that customers want, nothing else matters

Answer 6

Unfortunately it's down to the servicing & after sales people, I have a Ford but my wife has a Toyota she's happier than me about after sales etc.

Answer 7

Ford USA is putting too much effort in to it's vans and trucks and not enough in to the passenger cars. Toyota have the correct mix of models to satisfy the market place. Soon other makes will be chasing on the heals of the market leaders.

Answer 8

Ive had fords for years, then 3 years ago got myself a Yaris. I will never revert back. the car is far more economical, better looking and the price was excellent. Toyota are definatley becoming the more popular car.

Answer 9

Although Ford's are initially cheaper they have a poorer reputation than Toyota for running costs, reliability and warranty length. Toyota's may cost more at the outset but the retain their value well, reducing your overall depreciation.

Answer 10

Um, because Toyota is better! LOL jking, its cause toyota is doing more to satisfy the people. Right now they're doing reasearch to make a car that's cheap in price, for people who just got their lisece, and need a car to afford. Things like that make Toyota more popular

Answer 11

There are alot of misconceptions about Toyota quality. Look at all the issues they are having with sludged engines, recalls on 1/2 a million trucks, hybrids stalling on the highway, recalls for airbags deploying for no reason and the list goes on. In fact, last year they recalled more cars than they sold in the States. The point is our media and public believe they can do no wrong. Meanwhile, Toyota is becoming more powerful thanks to us buying their junk. Anyone remember an incident in history known as Pearl Harbor.