Just a month ago I wrote about GM chasing Toyota. It’s worth a quick holiday post to repeat the message here — Toyota is killing the competition, and eco-advantage is at the core of this historic success.
Here are two headlines from the New York Times in the last 5 days.
Toyota Is Poised to Supplant G.M. as World’s Largest Carmaker
Ford Chief Seeks Ideas From Toyota
In the first, we learn that for the first time since 1931 (yes, that’s right, 75 years) we will have a new #1 automaker. First of all, kudos to GM for an unparalleled record of success. But as my earlier post said, GM is now playing catch up in a big way.
The second article is about the pilgrimage the new Ford CEO took to Japan to meet with Toyota’s leaders. He’s seeking any ideas that might save his company. As the Times reports:
the talks had focused on the development of environmentally friendly technology, like hybrid-electric and hydrogen fuel systems
The saddest part about all of this is that, unlike GM’s leaders, Bill Ford did get it — he was talking green years ago. Do you think he’s wondering why his company didn’t listen to him?
Now, Toyota, already considered the leanest manufacturer in the world, will be the biggest with cutting edge technology and design packaged into great cars that customers love. Scary.
