  Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 980 Registered: 11-2004 |
November 8, 2007 By JOE GUY COLLIER FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER Toyota Motor Corp. announced this morning it was donating $2 million to the Detroit Science Center to build the Toyota Engineering Theater. The theater, scheduled to open in December 2008, will feature active seating, a rotating stage and a system that allows live hosts to interact with virtual 3D presenters to profile stories of engineers from across the state. The announcement, made at Ford Field during the Youth Engineering and Science Expo, is part of a larger “Engineering the Future” campaign designed to make dramatic enhancements to the Detroit Science Center. Toyota made the commitment as a way to give back to a community that has become vital to the company, said Steve St. Angelo, senior vice president of Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America. Toyota has a technical center in Ann Arbor with more than 900 employees. Almost 20% of the parts in the Camry, assembled in Kentucky, also are supplied from plants in Michigan. “Detroit is very important to the success of Toyota,” St. Angelo said. “We’ve always had a belief that where we do business we will give back to the communities and education is very important to us, especially in the field of science and especially in the field of engineering.” http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll /article?AID=/20071108/BUSINES S01/71108025/1035 (Message edited by eric on November 09, 2007) | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 522 Registered: 09-2007 |
This is wonderful. Toyota is now starting to invest in the city's well being. It's interesting too because this is the same company GM is neck and neck with. Thanks Toyota! (Message edited by DetroitRise on November 09, 2007) | ||
Iaintgotnostyle Member Username: Iaintgotnostyle Post Number: 111 Registered: 10-2007 |
"Thanks Toyota! " so much for solidarity HA! | ||
Bobj Member Username: Bobj Post Number: 2710 Registered: 11-2003 |
As much as I have become a "Buy American" kind of guy - this is a wonderful act by Toyota | ||
Sstashmoo Member Username: Sstashmoo Post Number: 559 Registered: 02-2007 |
Quote "It's interesting too because this is the same company GM is neck and neck with." The difference is while they are trying to put on the "face", they have zero loyalty to this country or it's economy. When it's gone so will they be. They are here harvesting as many American dollars as they can. As far as I'm concerned, them investing in our infrastructure is a slap in the face and an insult. | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 525 Registered: 09-2007 |
"The difference is while they are trying to put on the "face", they have zero loyalty to this country or it's economy. When it's gone so will they be. They are here harvesting as many American dollars as they can. As far as I'm concerned, them investing in our infrastructure is a slap in the face and an insult." Yes, but it's also sad as well when the place that discovered your company and made it was it is can't even get some investment dollars from you (I.E. K-Mart). If getting foriegn companies to invest in the city is what it takes, then so be it. (Message edited by DetroitRise on November 09, 2007) | ||
Iaintgotnostyle Member Username: Iaintgotnostyle Post Number: 115 Registered: 10-2007 |
As far as I'm concerned, them investing in our infrastructure is a slap in the face and an insult. Say it louder brother! | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 528 Registered: 09-2007 |
I don't believe this, typical Detroiters. People give us an inch and you all would rather be ungrateful and take the mile. | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 529 Registered: 09-2007 |
People in Asia would be satisfied for GM to invest in their countries because of how poorly they're doing, not looking at them as a American or Asian or European Auto company. | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 6406 Registered: 11-2004 |
While you might not like what Toyota has done to our Big Three here, you've got to give it up to them. As opposed to pointing the accusatory finger at them, I'd like to think that we can still make a competitive car that sells as well as theirs one day. The least any of us should be here is gracious in the fact that someone wants to donate some much needed cash to a cultural gem in Detroit. | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 531 Registered: 09-2007 |
Thank you Smogboy. | ||
Bobj Member Username: Bobj Post Number: 2718 Registered: 11-2003 |
Toyota didn't have to give us anything - with the influence of the domestic auto industry around here, this is a terrible market for them, they could just ignore SE MI. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 10730 Registered: 10-2003 |
I don't care what their intentions are (good will, PR, honestly caring, etc) but the fact is that they are putting money into a Detroit asset. To spin it as a bad thing is ridiculous. If someone wanted to pay my mortgage as a PR move or out of pity or whatever else I would be happy with it and let them. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 3495 Registered: 10-2003 |
Those crazy Japanese are trying to trick us by building a theater at the Science Center. I bet it will flash subliminal messages during movies that say American cars are poor quality. Don't let them get away with this atrocity! Everybody at that research facility should quit their job immediately, so we can show them they can't outsmart us. | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 2682 Registered: 06-2006 |
I remember reading a while back that Toyota was asking GM CEO Rick Wagoner how they could best donate to the city of Detroit, and Wagoner told them that the city's riverfront and museums were the best things to throw money at. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1999 Registered: 10-2006 |
Johnlodge, others: from the Freep article: "Toyota made the commitment as a way to give back to a community that has become vital to the company." This goes to show to all those pro 'American' forumers that the business of automobile production is not that "cut and dry." It isn't foreign versus American, unless you are a retired Detroit auto worker. | ||
Detroitbill Member Username: Detroitbill Post Number: 376 Registered: 09-2006 |
Its a corporate contribution and we should be thankful for it. All companies ( rather nationally based or otherwise) contribute from a PR perspective . If the money is spent well , appreciated and enhances their image then they are accomplishing what they want. Detroit should be glad when any company recognized that we should be the recipient of their funding. It says something positive about us and their interest in being involved with our city. | ||
Gnome Member Username: Gnome Post Number: 352 Registered: 08-2007 |
The Asians make a better used car. Sorry to say it, but its true. Let me explain: So I'm in this meeting with a couple of detroit car execs, not everyone has shown up yet so we're sitting around and shooting the breeze. Turns out one guy just came back from LA where he had to use the self-service gas station before returning his rental car. He was kind of bitching about (while at the same time poking fun at himself) not being able to find the gas flap/door release button. He went on to explain the whole scene at the gas pump. Standing next to the car and trying to pry open the gas door with his keys until some teenager showed him the release button inside. This exec didn't know that cars had gas door release buttons because he hasn't had to put gas in his own car for about 20 years. Everyday his car is washed, vacuumed and the gas is topped off. Every 3 months he gets a new car. He went on to explain how the quality of american cars rivals that of the Asians and how unamerican it is to buy a Jap car. I say make every Chrysler, Ford and GM exec drive a 7 year old car like the majority of Americans and then maybe the long-term quality of our cars will actually exceed that of our asian rivals. Once we build a better used car, we'll be able to drop 2 million on science theaters too. Meanwhile, last quarter GM lost over 1 BILLION dollars. | ||
Miesfan Member Username: Miesfan Post Number: 25 Registered: 11-2007 |
quote: Oh please, spare us the Noam Chomskey-by-way-of-Charles Coughlin nationalist socialism. It's not like American corporations have any over riding loyalty to 'merica either. The Big Three are all cutting jobs at a record pace. Chrysler was saved by a nine-figure Federal bailout. 15 years later Chrysler's Board and shareholders sold the company to a foreign corporation which has, in turn, sold Chrysler to Cerberus. They aren't the kind of corporation with much loyalty to anyone but share holders and the short-term. This goes beyond the auto industry. Northwest and the other airlines received billions to unnecessary federal aid in 2002 and then proceeded to lay-off employees, cut benefits, and file for bankruptcy in order to re-write union contracts. Detroit seems to be the last place to still by into the feudalistic belief in the benevolent, paternal corporation supporting a city. The rest of the world figured it out long ago. So if Toyota wants to pony up a little cash for the Science Center why fret about it? | ||
Sstashmoo Member Username: Sstashmoo Post Number: 560 Registered: 02-2007 |
Quote: "It says something positive about us and their interest in being involved with our city." Yeah thats why they built all those plants here in the "Motor City". The probable reality was, throw it at the impoverished or pay the tax they owe to the IRS. They chose the former. To me this is a a clear message. We've injured you, here's a handout, spend it wisely. Remember, they have no other affiliation with Detroit whatsoever. The definition of "Dignity" from thefreedictionary: dig·ni·ty (dgn-t) n. pl. dig·ni·ties 1. The quality or state of being worthy of esteem or respect. 2. Inherent nobility and worth: the dignity of honest labor. 3. a. Poise and self-respect. b. Stateliness and formality in manner and appearance. 4. The respect and honor associated with an important position. 5. A high office or rank. 6. dignities The ceremonial symbols and observances attached to high office. 7. Archaic A dignitary. | ||
Scooter2k7 Member Username: Scooter2k7 Post Number: 14 Registered: 10-2007 |
Toyota has always said that Detroit auto companies are crucial to the industry. Toyota is afraid of backlash of the ones who destroyed the American auto companies. Toyota is a company who likes to be profitable. We cannot fault them for quality. I will always drive a Detroit-made car but it is nice to see Toyota taking an interest in Detroit. | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 2129 Registered: 04-2006 |
Yeah thats why they built all those plants here in the "Motor City". The probable reality was, throw it at the impoverished or pay the tax they owe to the IRS. They chose the former. How many plants does Ford have in the "Motor City" again? If they want to donate money to fund our museums/universities/zoos/park s/etc... All the things that we haven't been having the easiest time of funding lately... Then LET THEM! It's ridiculous to say that Toyota doesn't have a vested interest in the American economy. How many cars do they sell here again?! | ||
Sstashmoo Member Username: Sstashmoo Post Number: 561 Registered: 02-2007 |
Quote: "It's not like American corporations have any over riding loyalty to 'merica either." If that were true, they would yank everything out of here. From a profitablitly standpoint, bantering with the UAW and trying to make a go of it with 10-20 times more expensive labor here, is financial suicide. Yet, they continue to do so. If thats not loyalty to the American workforce, I don't know what is. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 3500 Registered: 10-2003 |
This could well have something to do with the fact their Toyotas get booed at Joe Louis when they come out on the ice. Nevertheless, investment is investment. It is good for the science center, and if the money wasn't spent in Detroit, it would just be spent elsewhere. | ||
Sstashmoo Member Username: Sstashmoo Post Number: 562 Registered: 02-2007 |
Quote "It's ridiculous to say that Toyota doesn't have a vested interest in the American economy. How many cars do they sell here again?••• LOL | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 2130 Registered: 04-2006 |
This isn't a American vs. Japanese argument, this is Detroit vs. Tokyo. | ||
Miesfan Member Username: Miesfan Post Number: 26 Registered: 11-2007 |
quote: Wow, where to begin? The biggest labor cost challenge the Big Three is dealing with is legacy costs. They can't just move away from that problem. The Big Three has moved much of their operations south or out of the country. Building a auto plant and moving operations is a complex and expensive process. It takes time and while you are busy hating Japan for Pearl Harbor, the Big Three are moving operations to sunnier climes as fast as they can. | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 3961 Registered: 02-2005 |
Investment is investment. Jobs are jobs. Borders are not important in a modern economy. Get over the taboo and embrace Toyota. Here's a great example of them trying to win us over...and we should appreciate it, just as we should appreciate all the manufacturing they do in America and hopefully in Michigan in the future. | ||
Matt_the_deuce Member Username: Matt_the_deuce Post Number: 759 Registered: 10-2003 |
"This isn't a American vs. Japanese argument, this is Detroit vs. Tokyo." - I'll take Detroit. Doesn't Tokyo have a really bad monster problem? | ||
Sstashmoo Member Username: Sstashmoo Post Number: 563 Registered: 02-2007 |
Quote: "They can't just move away from that problem. (legacy costs)" So, they can't operate elsewhere at higher profits and pay for Viagra prescriptions back here? We're going to "Yeah whatever" and "Who cares as long as we're gettin' it" ourselves into the worst depression this country has ever seen. Toyota has fleeced Billions from this country and they give a few token Million back and everyone thinks they are just the greatest. Well, we are as stupid as they think we are. Their cheesy tax deferment/PR stunt worked. |
