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6th
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The storm is over, the clean-up is complete and nearly everything has been fixed or rebuilt. The time has come to get back to the way things were. In Toyota's case, the way it was means total domination.
Not that long ago, Toyota was sitting on top of the world and then the floor gave out from under them. Given their vast resources -- be it financial, engineering, development and testing -- they've emerged slightly scathed, but more determined than ever.
It may seem odd, if you follow me on Twitter or Instagram (@Matt_St_Pierre), that I'm praising Toyota and about to do more of it. It's really not that complicated: Toyota is huge and appreciated by countless consumers looking for an appliance to get from A-to-B. Yes, I had to throw that in.
Despite what I may think of many of their products (the Corolla in particular), my thoughts and feelings are dwarfed by the sheer volume of Toyota vehicles on the road.
In fact, Toyota garnered the second largest significant sales increase in Canada for 2012, behind only Honda, at a year-over-year jump of 18.8%. And this is, in my opinion, only the beginning of Toyota's return to a step on the Canadian sales podium, be it this year or next, at the latest.
As we all know, product is key and Toyota is delivering on its promise of 18 new cars and trucks in 18 months. The recent unveiling of the Corolla Furia at the NAIAS is but one example. And, might I add, if the production car looks like the Furia, I may have to change my tune on the Corolla... Nah, I won't.
The new RAV4 is here, the Prius line is complete, the Yaris sedan (ugly, dull duckling) is gone, the new Tundra is coming, and Lexus as a whole is looking good. I've nothing nice to say about Scion other than the FR-S is smokin'.
Am I trying to redeem myself? To make Toyota like me? No. My job is to evaluate aspects of the automotive industry, its products and technologies. At the moment, from where I stand (or sit), I'm seeing a surge building behind Toyota. My observation is simply based on their recent communications, for one, but more importantly, on their latest new cars.
The saying goes that “Chevy runs deep.” In many North American markets, blurting “Toyota runs deep” has just as much significance and worth. Therefore, Toyota has nowhere to go but up.
Consumers still believe in Toyota, and a myriad have owned many in a row. To them, Toyota cannot falter. I know Toyota will do everything in their power to avoid going back to 2009-2010, and this is why I believe that Toyota is a brand to watch over the next 18 months.
Not that long ago, Toyota was sitting on top of the world and then the floor gave out from under them. Given their vast resources -- be it financial, engineering, development and testing -- they've emerged slightly scathed, but more determined than ever.
It may seem odd, if you follow me on Twitter or Instagram (@Matt_St_Pierre), that I'm praising Toyota and about to do more of it. It's really not that complicated: Toyota is huge and appreciated by countless consumers looking for an appliance to get from A-to-B. Yes, I had to throw that in.
Despite what I may think of many of their products (the Corolla in particular), my thoughts and feelings are dwarfed by the sheer volume of Toyota vehicles on the road.
In fact, Toyota garnered the second largest significant sales increase in Canada for 2012, behind only Honda, at a year-over-year jump of 18.8%. And this is, in my opinion, only the beginning of Toyota's return to a step on the Canadian sales podium, be it this year or next, at the latest.
As we all know, product is key and Toyota is delivering on its promise of 18 new cars and trucks in 18 months. The recent unveiling of the Corolla Furia at the NAIAS is but one example. And, might I add, if the production car looks like the Furia, I may have to change my tune on the Corolla... Nah, I won't.
The new RAV4 is here, the Prius line is complete, the Yaris sedan (ugly, dull duckling) is gone, the new Tundra is coming, and Lexus as a whole is looking good. I've nothing nice to say about Scion other than the FR-S is smokin'.
Am I trying to redeem myself? To make Toyota like me? No. My job is to evaluate aspects of the automotive industry, its products and technologies. At the moment, from where I stand (or sit), I'm seeing a surge building behind Toyota. My observation is simply based on their recent communications, for one, but more importantly, on their latest new cars.
The saying goes that “Chevy runs deep.” In many North American markets, blurting “Toyota runs deep” has just as much significance and worth. Therefore, Toyota has nowhere to go but up.
Consumers still believe in Toyota, and a myriad have owned many in a row. To them, Toyota cannot falter. I know Toyota will do everything in their power to avoid going back to 2009-2010, and this is why I believe that Toyota is a brand to watch over the next 18 months.