Business Wars Toyota vs Honda | Motor City Massacre | 2
4 snips
Nov 16, 2022 In the 1960s, Honda races to enter the car market while battling internal conflicts about its identity. Meanwhile, Toyota is solidifying its American presence, navigating fierce competition. The introduction of compact vehicles sparks rivalry, with Honda's microcar debut and Toyota’s impactful Corona. As fuel efficiency trends rise in the aftermath of the oil crisis, Japanese automakers thrive, challenging the traditional giants. The story unfolds with pivotal innovations like Honda's CVCC engine shaping the industry landscape.
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Honda's Identity Crisis
- Honda and Fujisawa clashed over their first car, the S360.
- Honda wanted a sports car, while Fujisawa pushed for a practical "business car".
Toyota's Quality Turnaround
- Toyota adopted total quality control, inspired by Nissan, to address its quality issues.
- This led to the successful third-generation Corona, which outsold the Nissan Bluebird.
Honda's Engineering Focus
- Soichiro Honda's focus on piston rings in Formula One racing highlights his engineering-driven approach.
- He berated an engineer for faulty piston rings, emphasizing the importance of real-world testing.
