Toyota Motor Corp (ADR) (TM)

When talking about an alternative energy future, one doesn't have to read too many of my pitches to know that I've made a number of underperform calls on fuel cell and ethanol companies. When it comes to powering our automobiles, I don't think that's where our future lies, for a variety of reasons.

So, what is the future for powering our automobiles? Well, in the next decade or two I think the answer is crystal clear - hybrids.

Hybrids face none of the infrastructure challenges that are going to doom fuel cells, and when it comes to ethanol, it currently takes nearly as much energy to produce ethanol (including the energy needed to farm and manufacture fertilizers) as is produced when the ethanol is eventually combusted.

Hybrids, however, have advantages on both fronts - and frankly I think the whole idea of regenerative breaking is simply brilliant. Hybrids can leverage the existing infrastructure, and actually reduce overall energy consumption needs. Furthermore, hybrid technology is still in the very early stages and I expect greater and greater effeciency from this technology into the future.

I'm long on Toyota here (and also long on Honda) because of their leadership in the hybrid automobile market. Unlike the rest of the alternative energy hopefuls, I think *this* technology is the wave of the future, and I'm willing to put my CAPS jester cap on the line and place a bet on the market leaders.

Soon to be the world's biggest auto-maker, Toyota is also one of the most forward-looking. Way ahead of the game on Hybrid technology, which will only gain in popularity as gas prices climb.
No surprise that TM is currently recording record profits and has a 6-year string of booming sales to brag about.

Toyota makes superior vehicles - year after year after year. I just purchased the stock this year -- not sure why it took me so long. TM quality has been marvelous for me personally, they build vehicles in the US, they have the right product line NOW for the energy crisis - I suspect they will stay ahead in that market. I don't know much about their service -- because I don't need much service with TM. I have bought Avalon and Camry used with 90,000 miles on them and have run the vehicles to 200,000 miles w/o serious service bills. Cost per mile leaves other vehicles in the dust.

Toyota gains market share year after year and are way ahead of all the others with their hybrid technology.

Toyota is one of the few companies truely embracing the concepts of outperforming others, leading the pack in Hybrid technology and making it a reality. I expect further innovations from this company; it is clear they're headed for #1.

Toyota has won, they are comfortably heading to the top of the global auto market. Now that Toyota is at the top, there is not much room to grow from here. Toyota has grown through world renowned manufacturing techniques, but the amazing inefficiencies of the former Big 3 helped as well. With GM and Ford making significant cost reductions, and improving product quality, look for competition to heat up. Toyota will continue to be a great company, but size has begun to affect its quality, and the reality is, the Auto market may be stagnant for awhile. Toyota may not drop much in value, but its not about to double either.

As a 18 year employee of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, KY I see first hand how we are constantly cutting our cost, not only in the vehicles themselves, but also in the office environment. We are always fighting to build the best quality vehicles while providing our customers value for their money. When I started working for TMMK our global market percentage was approximately 5%. Look at us now!

Quality, experience, pricing power AND they make money from their vehicule sales! I bought a Toyota last year because they gave me the best trade-in deal, the most mpg, the lowest price AND the car drives far better than my last one (a Nissan).

Toyota has been competing in the NASCAR truck races and dominating it. They will be starting to compete in NASCAR soon. Wont be too long till the average good-ol-boy is driving one. Sales = Mo Money, Mo Money, Mo money

When is the last time when already a large car maker gains such momentom, crushing compeition? Granted, this coincides with rivals like Ford and GM going through transition stages while upcoming rivals from China and Korea are still young. This may be well be the golden age for Toyota, world wide. Hyundai may be a viable competitor in Asia as it completes its hybrid strategy and offer better price/performance ratio but both can benefit as other makers continue to slump.

I think this is a good time to buy Toyota. First, the Camry was just redesigned for 2007 and is flying off the lots. It is dominating other cars in the family sedan class in terms of sales. Second, with the continued release of other small and fuel efficient cars in the US, like the Yaris and Prius, TM's cars are playing into a major conservationist trend. Third, the company is in the process of opening a large plant in the US which I believe will help win the hearts of US consumers who think that buying a Toyota is bad for America. The company sports a market cap of 175 Billion, with 91 Billion in Debt (that's a big company), but the company has been steadily growing revenues at 13% per year (revenues were $185 billion last year). Net Income increase 20% over the last 3 years. I think there is still plenty of room for growth -- maybe a double ver the next few years.

Pushing ahead with the new technologies that I believe are the future of automotive development (for several years, at the very least). Their products are good, solid and reliable, and have been for years (friends have Toyota pickups that they routinely put 200K miles or more on).

TM has had things all their way for the past five years. Think that will continue for the next five? I don't. Products are not favorably differentiated in today's market. I will give them the quality credit they deserve during the last decade, but others have caught their quality and offer more compelling products.

LEAN manufacturing principles, invented and perfected at Toyota and now being benchmarked in other manufacturing industries, will propel this company to outperform the entire auto industry. These innovations could not be coming at a better time as Toyota will continue to post strong quarterly numbers as GM, Ford, and Daimlerchrysler post record losses. Toyota's market share is now #1 and they will continue to climb until the domestic companies complete reorganization.

they have just introduced a new type of system for when the car skids in snow conditions. it also just planned to open a company in India and now will be outsourcing for those jobs and if you are a true economist, you know outsourcing is very good for major companies and for our economy in general

too many layoff, no buyers

Toyota will continue to take marketshare from Ford and GM because of it's continual investment into automation, efficiency, and robotics as well as a diverse lineup of vehicles. Efficiency translates to reduced costs and decreased time to market.

Will become the leader in auto industry in 2007. Toyota is gaining popularity. The new Tundra will drive sales for 2007. In the long term Toyota is leaps ahead of domestic auto makers as far as energy efficient cars

No one is buying cars, unless they can get gas savings. This is a good company but right now for the next few weeks they are going to fall.