Toyota Reputation, Resale Value Vulnerable



Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35300033/ns/business-autos/

MSNBC.msn.com - February 8, 2010

Situation
Kelley Blue Book lowers resale value for Toyotas affected by recall
It's 2nd time in 4 days KBB has dropped value
Now down as much as 4% or about $300 to $750 lower than previous week
2 months ago, KBB named Toyota as best brand for resale value
Edmunds.com says trade-in values could slip up to 10% in short term
Significant Points
Recalls, safety questions put Toyota at risk to losing customers
Toyotas long had reputation for quality, safety - which led to high resale value
Domestic automakers offering incentives to lure Toyota owners
But auction houses are refusing to take recalled Toyotas, fearing liability problems
Some Toyota dealers buying up used models, expecting prices to rebound
Analysts say Toyota's reputation was unrealistically high, now in adjustment
Says
"My advice to a consumer would be 'If you don't have to trade one in, wait. Values will stay down for a bit. But Toyota's got really strong brand equity." -- Michelle Krebs, senior analyst, Edmunds.com

"Toyota has a loyal corps of baby-boomer buyers who have owned Toyotas for decades. They're going to stand by Toyota unless they feel they'll look foolish for doing so. All hell will break loose if there's another recall." -- John Wolkonowicz, senior auto analyst, IHS Global Insight

"Toyota has fantastic loyalty, but this is definitely going to have a real erosion in that." -- Juan Flores, director of vehicle valuation, Kelley Blue Book