Toyota and BMW: two of the world's most admired companies

Toyota and BMW: two of the world's most admired companies

Filed under: BMW, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

Back in 2006, Toyota was the first non-American company to crack Fortune's list as one of the Most Admired Companies in America by coming in at number nine. A year later, they jumped up to number three on the list. This year, they remain on the list at the fifth position, despite posting huge sales gains worldwide and passing Ford as the second largest seller of automobiles in America. Of course, not everything has been roses for Toyota along the way, but it's hard to argue that the automaker's ascendancy hasn't been well-earned.
The list changes a bit when the rest of the world's admirers are counted too. Toyota remains high on that list staking out the number two spot overall, while the only other automaker in the top ten is BMW at number nine. We would have expected to see Honda higher than number 23, considering that they are quite successful in both the automotive and the motorcycle market, as well as being the largest manufacturer of engines in the world. It's notable that no American car companies made either list, but several American suppliers, including Visteon, Delphi, Federal Mogul, Dana, ArvinMeritor and Navistar showed up on the "least admired" list for 2007 and 2008. On the positive side, though: there's no place to go but up.
[Source: Fortune]

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I agree with the message this article sends.... deep down, I've always admired the E39 M5s and E46 M3s.

I used to think that till I started working at BMW and man I am sad to say with all honesty that I would not buy one..... Yes lots of gadgets and technology but they're very unreliable.

I don't think they are unreliable. I know this from experience. Before my uncle bought his M3, he had a 3 series, early 90's model, that lasted around 280k miles. He would have kept it too but he needed an upgrade. Another uncle has a newer model, probably 2000ish, going strong at 180k miles... Both autox, and use them as dd. According to them the cars are easy to work with too.... They did most, if not all the maintenance.

BMW's are very reliable. It's just that repairs are very expensive, whereas Toyotas are reliable AND cheaper to repair. That must be the common misconception. I think you're mixing it up with Audi/VW. Now that is a different story.

Expensive if you get it done at the shop. My uncles get the job done themselves and look for cheap stuff online or at the junkyard.

EDIT:
Also, when well maintained, no need for repairs. They are more expensive to maintain than Toyotas, parts price wise...

But that's cost of owning a BMW. As long as it's maintained, there's no reason to worry about breakdowns.

Old school BMW's are much better than these tuna cans with technological updates.... we have cars coming in with less than 10k miles and they're breaking down already. I personally think that German technology is overkill and a waste of money..... AGAIN this is PERSONAL opinion not trying to get you EURO lovers all overworked here.