Topic: Day-by-Day Review: 2016 Toyota Venza; Day 1

[EV-Light]

If only Toyota marked it as an AWD Camry, it'd sell in droves

Ah! biggest question is why Toyota just doesn't put a damn AWD system in the Camry.

[Blueprint]

If only Toyota marked it as an AWD Camry, it'd sell in droves

Ah! biggest question is why Toyota just doesn't put a damn AWD system in the Camry.

They did, and no one noticed.



The Venza's issue, for 'muricans, is that it's not a truck, or even a pseudo truck. It's a stylish, low, wagon-ish thing. They don't get that.

[dasiuyan]

I heard they are relatively expensive to insure. with 19/20 inch tires, running cost is not toyota typical,

[Solstice2006]

I heard they are relatively expensive to insure. with 19/20 inch tires, running cost is not toyota typical,

My older brother has the 4 cylinder model, can't be that expensive.... And I am sure they cheaper to insure than an Accord!  They don't have the theft rate the Accords do...   A GTI is cheaper to insure than an Accord (4 cylinder!)

[johngenx]

I heard they are relatively expensive to insure. with 19/20 inch tires, running cost is not toyota typical,

My agent told me most Toyota models have quite low average claim stats which is why both our Toyotas are inexpensive to insure.

[ArticSteve]

If it sold, they'd find a spot for it. But it's been a clunker in the US market for years.

Absolutely ZERO understanding of manufacturing, production and capacity.  To you everything is sales.

Case in point is Subaru USA.
 

[rrocket]

If it sold, they'd find a spot for it. But it's been a clunker in the US market for years.

Absolutely ZERO understanding of manufacturing, production and capacity.  To you everything is sales.

Yep.  You can't just "find a place" for something in manufacturing like this.  Build a new plant, or bump another vehicle.  And Toyota isn't bumping the Camry, Rav4, Corolla, etc.

[ArticSteve]

^^^ 

The Venza was essentially a hatch back V6 Camry.  The body was different, but most bits were from the Georgetown parts bin.  Take the plant tour and it becomes obvious.

500,000 units makes for PACKED HOUSE.

Toyota is the PRODUCTION leader.  No company has come close.  VW pretended to be one and now look at them ... 

[johngenx]

Toyota still has some low selling dinos like the Sequoia, but the tooling is long paid for and the margins are massive on it.

They focus on volume, indeed.  It's one big reason why halo cars have disappeared from their line up.

[rrocket]

I don't think it's surprising in the least that a car gets bumped in favor of producing more of the "bread and butter" cars.

[walk1]

I heard they are relatively expensive to insure. with 19/20 inch tires, running cost is not toyota typical,

I heard they are the #1 most stolen vehicle. Apparently a few different Toyotas are easily stolen. I can't say I agree with their competition being a bunch of minivans. More appropriate would be crossovers that place some style over function such as the Murano. I don't think they sell in large numbers because the average Toyota customer will look across the showroom floor and go with the cheaper RAV4. My in laws have two. Both v6, one awd and one fwd. Overall they are decent. The biggest shortfall is the amount of hard plastics on the dash. Toyota's newer models are much improved in this area and the new Murano's interior is considerably better.

[wing]

Old neighbors had theirs stolen.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

If it sold, they'd find a spot for it. But it's been a clunker in the US market for years.

Absolutely ZERO understanding of manufacturing, production and capacity.  To you everything is sales.

Case in point is Subaru USA.

Right. Are they running a third shift in Georgetown? No, they aren't. There is plenty of unused capacity in Georgetown.

There's also unused capacity at the Princeton Indiana  plant that does the Sienna, Sequoia and Highlander.

As you keep reminding us, Toyota has lots of cash on hand. They could easily throw down to expand production if the product was hot. But they know as well as everyone else, it's a turkey in its target market.

[rrocket]

Most car companies would kill to have Toyota "turkeys".  People like Buick for example...

[ArticSteve]

Right. Are they running a third shift in Georgetown? No, they aren't. There is plenty of unused capacity in Georgetown.


You have absolutely no clue.  Toyota operates no 3 shift operations in USA or Japan.  The machinery is serviced at night.  3 shift plants have low quality.  See Nissan Tennessee for second tier quality as they run around the clock and it shows.

Got anymore insightful comments? 

[Solstice2006]

If it sold, they'd find a spot for it. But it's been a clunker in the US market for years.

Absolutely ZERO understanding of manufacturing, production and capacity.  To you everything is sales.

Case in point is Subaru USA.

Boys, Boys, can't we all just get along.  Its possible everybody is a little right.  Artic has pointed out (several times) that Toyota is near capacity in production at the plant that makes the Venza.  IMO, Toyota should get off their lazy ass, design and produce their entire lineup.  Like the rebadged Mazda2, and Scion FRS (just to name a couple) And when they do a redesign of models, do more (they didn't do enough with the Tacoma). 

If the plant wasn't at capacity, you think Toyota would keep the Venza around?  And redesign it like the Camry?  And still have relatively low sales numbers for the #1 company...

They have the money, they can expand if they wanted to... If the pace keeps up, this is a record year in auto sales for Toyota, if they want to increase their lead, more production will be needed....

And Artic, doesn't Ford run 3 shifts?  Better check the paint quality....

[rrocket]

If it sold, they'd find a spot for it. But it's been a clunker in the US market for years.

Absolutely ZERO understanding of manufacturing, production and capacity.  To you everything is sales.

Case in point is Subaru USA.

Boys, Boys, can't we all just get along.  Its possible everybody is a little right.  Artic has pointed out (several times) that Toyota is near capacity in production at the plant that makes the Venza.  IMO, Toyota should get off their lazy ass, design and produce their entire lineup.  Like the rebadged Mazda2, and Scion FRS (just to name a couple) And when they do a redesign of models, do more 1) (they didn't do enough with the Tacoma).

If the plant wasn't at capacity, you think Toyota would keep the Venza around?  And redesign it like the Camry?  And still have relatively low sales numbers for the #1 company...

They have the money, they can expand if they wanted to... If the pace keeps up, this is a record year in auto sales for Toyota, if they want to increase their lead, more production will be needed....

And Artic, doesn't Ford run 3 shifts?  Better check the paint quality....

1) Toyota doesn't need to go crazy with redesigns.  It's not what they do.  Why mess with success?  Despite now having competition from 2 GM trucks, the Tacoma is still #1.

2)  Ford's quality is behind Toyota.  If you're going to use that as your argument, Chrysler also runs 3 shifts.  How's that for quality?   

[Solstice2006]

Artic brought up that running 3 shifts, is a sign of low quality..  Not me.  I mention Ford, as he owns one....

As for the reasoning with the Tacoma being #1.  Why did Honda change the Civic? It sells great!  It's because Honda is a better engineering company.  And Toyota has better bean counters!

And who knows the capacity of the Wentzville plant for the GM twins.  Even they run 3 shifts, and sell every one of them...

[tortoise]

It's because Honda is a better engineering company.  And Toyota has better bean counters!

I believe this to be false.

[EV-Light]

If it sold, they'd find a spot for it. But it's been a clunker in the US market for years.

Absolutely ZERO understanding of manufacturing, production and capacity.  To you everything is sales.

Case in point is Subaru USA.

Right. Are they running a third shift in Georgetown? No, they aren't. There is plenty of unused capacity in Georgetown.

There's also unused capacity at the Princeton Indiana  plant that does the Sienna, Sequoia and Highlander.

As you keep reminding us, Toyota has lots of cash on hand. They could easily throw down to expand production if the product was hot. But they know as well as everyone else, it's a turkey in its target market.

won't be lasting long...

http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/local/article/Toyota-considers-adding-shift-to-San-Antonio-plant-6361740.php