The incentive-induced daze is lifting, and the hurricane season is coming to a close, |
The initial response to it is much greater than we thought. |
The market for lower-priced, higher-mileage vehicles is showing strength, as are hybrids. Record oil prices have a way of reminding us how close to the cliff we're living. |
The market for lower-priced, higher-mileage vehicles is showing strength. |
The mind-set has changed. Used to be somebody would pay $2,000, $3,000 more for a big V-8 and the macho and muscle and squealing tires that went with it, ... Now, at least in some places, people pay the premium for the (hybrid's) image of being concerned about a clean environment, contributing to their children's future health and depending less on foreign oil. |
The mind-set has changed. Used to be somebody would pay $2,000, $3,000 more for a big V-8 and the macho and muscle and squealing tires that went with it, ... Now, at least in some places, people pay the premium for the [hybrid's] image of being concerned about a clean environment, contributing to their children's future health and depending less on foreign oil. |
The sort of awareness that was created on the environment and oil and all those other things, that will continue. |
There was a time when having a big, giant engine was sort of in, ... everything is sort of pointing to the fact that if you want a good image, it's better to be efficient. |
There's a continuing interest in gas mileage. I don't think that's temporary. It's a long-term trend. |
To us, it's not a passing phase but a vital technology for the 21st century. |
Toyota's name is not for sale, ... Dealers can sell property, but Republic can't just buy Toyota's good name. |
Toyota's name is not for sale. Dealers can sell property, but Republic can't just buy Toyota's good name. |
Toyota's orientation from the very beginning was anybody could go hire a mechanic and hire an engineer and hire this and buy that. Toyota's view was that before they could build a car, they needed to perfect new revolutionary processes to build a mold, to build an engine, to go back to that level. And that's what makes the company different. |
We and Toyota dealers have proven that we give customers good value and service. Republic has made claims that it will revolutionize the car business. All we've seen them do is gobble up dealerships. |
We don't have an ailing industry. |