Toyota owner loyalty slipping: Consumer Reports

[Cableguy]

The number of people driving Toyotas who would think of the carmaker first when buying another vehicle declined after the company's safety recalls and ensuing bad publicity, Consumer Reports said on Friday.

Toyota slipped behind Honda Motor Co. among drivers who said they would first look at their current brand, according to Consumer Reports.

"The intense publicity surrounding Toyota's recent recalls seems to be having a pronounced effect on the company's image among its current customers," the magazine reported.

The organization reported that 60 per cent of Toyota drivers surveyed from Feb. 4 to Feb. 8 said they would consider Toyota first, down from 70 per cent in December.

Honda took first place in that section of the consumer loyalty survey, followed by Toyota, Chevrolet, with 52 per cent, and Ford, with 51 per cent.

The February survey was conducted before U.S. Congressional committee hearings started this week, which ratcheted up the negative publicity aimed at Toyota and its once-stellar reputation for making quality vehicles.

Toyota customers aged 45 and over said they were more loyal to the brand, while those 18 to 44 said they were more likely to switch to another brand, the survey showed.

Since the recalls began, Toyota has been the brunt of jokes by late-night television comedians and scrutinized by major news organizations.

On Jan. 21, Toyota said it was recalling eight popular models including two top sellers, the Camry and Corolla sedans.

On Jan. 26, Toyota suspended sales of those models and called a week-long shutdown of North American production.

About 6.5 million Toyota vehicles have been recalled in the United States since last fall because of safety concerns.

Asked which brand they would consider first for a new vehicle regardless of the brand they are driving now, 17 per cent of survey respondents in February and December chose Ford.

Chevrolet overtook Toyota in the February survey with 14 per cent versus 12 per cent.

Honda was favoured by 10 per cent of the respondents in February.

In December, Toyota was second with 16 per cent.

"Among the top brands, purchase intent among all consumers changed by a notable amount between the two surveys for only one brand; Toyota registered a decline of nearly four percentage points," Consumer Reports said.

[TrailLeadr]

I just want to say, I never have and probably never will like toyota vehicles.
So no big deal to me. Just means there will be fewer of those little turds on the road.

[Cableguy]

Atta boy I like your thinking.

Everybody wave buh bye to Toyota

[tbplus10]

I guess I'm the lone hold out here, I've never had a problem with any of my Toyota trucks (at least a problem I didnt cause) I've owned 6 over the years, bought 4 of them new, never had warranty issues and only 1 recall which was for the trailer lighting package on my 99.

New trucks
1983 4x4 Deluxe, plain jain, put 105K on her in 3 years then sold her.
1986 2x4 std cab, basic truck, 284K in 8yrs, replaced a clutch and an intake gasket.
1994 4x4 std cab, who ho I could finally afford carpet, cloth and power windows, 50k in 5 yrs.
1999 4x4 xcab, with every option toyota offers except a sunroof, 119K and still rolling strong.

Used trucks
1991 4x4 std cab bought in 2000 with 260k, replaced the engine with a Perkins DI turbo engine at 275K, the original drivetrain now has 380K and so far I've only broken the rear axle shafts on both sides twice.
1988 4x4 std cab bought in 1996 with 220K, drivetrain was still running strong at 290K the day I hauled her to the wrecking yard after rolling over 9 times into a 60ft deep canyon in Moab Utah. We drove it back from Moab to Virginia after the rollover with a bent frame, no pass. side door or windshield.

[TrailLeadr]

I guess I can't pass any legit judgment on newer Toyota's since my only experience has been with the 80's and prior decades, and honestly they were just waiting to rust away from the time they hit the dealer's lots.
I won't deny I'm very opinionated about car brands.

[Cableguy]

I'm from a GM manufacturing town so I have a slightly bias opinion.

I say buy "North American", My favourite union slogan "Out of work?, Hungry?, Eat your import!"

[tbplus10]

Toyota isnt union, but they also have never had issues with strikes.
During the recent plant shut downs they continued to pay all employees and encouraged them to go into the community and donate thier time on improvement projects.
I've got a couple friends at the San Antonio plant.