Thanks dumrick, you said it differently but guessed my point of view 100%.
I know they make highly reliable cars with very little need for visits to services or and all Toyota cars (not Lexus) nowadays look good too but as most Japanese cars they have problem with charisma and I'm not talking about Mitsubishi
Perhaps this is unknown to our American friends but buying new Japanese car in Europe means that once you decide to sell it and buy another car you won't be able to get as near as much money as if you are selling used European car. Even the cars in low class follow this pattern. I think that the problem with all Japanese cars except Subaru and perhaps Suzuki and Mitsubishi is in fact (and this especially goes for Toyota) that they are constantly trying to make cars similar to European cars, in all classes.
Therefore, they have nothing original to offer including the shape of the car or memorable logo. Another problem is in constancy to certain philosophy of a manufacturer and its approach to design. Toyota has none – it simply changes anything on the car in order to catch up European competition and when you line-up several Toyota’s from several decades from same class you’ll detect no bloodline or genes connecting these cars. So, they are simply boring.
Toyota’s only philosophy is profit. They are not making anything but mean of transportation and people in Europe look for originality, background, charisma, style etc. even in smallest cars. If people in Europe would consider cars mainly as mean of transportation than they with cars act as dumrick mentioned just when buying a fridge - design isn’t in question, originality also but mainly price and quality.
As I’ve mentioned Toyota’s best product is Landcruiser. There you have tradition, quality and original design in one package and that is why it is highly respected in Europe too. After Land Rover and Puch, Toyota’s Landcruiser is probably the best off road vehicle in the world. And that is my point. With cars of other categories Toyota has no background, no fame and all it does now is trying to make anything just to remain on market without being able to build charisma anymore.
That is why I think Toyota should focus on off-road cars, Subaru on 4X4 racy sedans which goes for Mitsubishi too, Suzuki should stick to small cars etc. Those are areas where they have build-up reputation and fame.
It could be said that what Red Bull is in F1 that is what Toyota passenger cars are on the market – they have every physical aspect as F1 teams with great history but no specific meaning of existence, with no philosophy to pursuit and promote. Red Bull is energy drinks manufacturer and it entered F1 not because it wants to prove that it makes good cars but only for marketing purposes. I really, really wonder what would be the meaning of WCC if Red Bull would ever win it. It would only mean that they bought best designers and engineers and invested most money.
BTW, if I was rich European or American I'd never consider Mercedes over BMW. I drove several Mercedes cars that were company vehicles and compared to BMW they seam like living room on wheels - boring as hell.
P.S. I'm too old to go cruising and picking chicks with car
