GITHUKUSM wrote:We need to diversify the types of cars we use as a country.The Japanese realised this weakness and so they price any Toyota highly when its destined for Kenya.
The argument is always parts.I always ask which parts.Any time one buys a car to upgrade it means adding more money.
Others talk of resale value.My argument always is which one loses more value take a fielder and a Wingroad going for 1050k and 650k respectively.
After one year sell for 800k and 500k respectivey.Also we have other European models that are very good compared to Toyotas going for the same amount of money.As a dealer i always pity guys who tell me to get them an old 110 for money they would get a new one of another model.
Very true.Someone listening to average Kenyans touting the goodness of Toyotas would almost think they are designed and produced in Kenya.
Its also funny how people buy some Toyotas not knowing they are actually just rebadged. Livid examples include the Duet, Cammy or even Passo. These are all Daihatsu cars; The duet and Passo is the Daihatsu Sirion while the toyota Cammy is the same old ugly duckling that the Daihatsu Terios is. The Toyota Rush is also a Daihatsu. How many know that that there's shared ownership between Toyota and Subaru Motors (Fuji Heavy industries)? Someone else would buy a Volkswagen but not a Skoda yet these are in many respects the same car.
Not to downplay the feelings of Kenyans, these problem is experienced even in Japan. The sales of the Daihatsu Terios jumped significantly when they changed the nameplate to Toyota Cammy. Similary the Subaru Traviq MPV is in essence an Opel Zafira- everything except the sign on the engine and insignia but some would buy it as a Subaru and not an Opel.
This is not to mean that Toyotas are not good cars- they are in fact in the offroad category the Toyota Landcruiser GX is a wonder just as is the kind used by the Kenya Police. The compact cars such as the Vitz, Runx/Allex are equally tough. I must say however, Toyota are sold at prices higher than their values - but again value is a function of consumer preferences (largely hypothetical). For instance compare the Toyota Hilux and the Mitsubishi L200 pickup, especially the older models of both makes and return your verdict. So please keep on buying Toyotas, afterall we don't make any cars here.