Sadogopan disssect the Economist's article about Toyota's success:

"- Half of the three million increase in global industry output since 2000 came from Toyota. - Toyota will soon be making more cars abroad than at home. It has overtaken Ford in global production terms and is set to pass Chrysler in sales to become one of America's Big Three. - In an industry , where hardly any volume producer makes a real return on its capital, Toyota is exceptional in that it consistently makes good returns"

Ten years ago European and American car manufacturers have went to Japan in order to study the Japanes manufacturing methods. Some years later many car manufacturers on the island have been close to bankcruptcy and have been the prey of their admirers. Toyota survived and learned more than anybody else. What I learn out of it - It is dangerous if your competitors admire you.

Via Scoble.