Though I have only been in the business since 1975 and have not seen as much as some of the above experts, it is my opinion that TCM has one of the better lifts out there.
It is designed to be serviced, to last, and is a true work horse. True they do not have some of the whistles and bells as others but they don't have the issues others do.
Their parts avalibility is good, not perfect, but I have yet to see any of their competitors do any better.
Their electric line is small and they did have serious issues when they tried the GE Controllers but did change back and it is a solid truck.
They design a work lift truck and try to keep it simple while providing for operator comfort. Say what you will but for the money it is a hard machine to beat and I have seen alot of different lifts since 1975.
I have a lift truck service company and I can tell you my mechanics would prefer to work on a TCM over any of the others and we can get parts for them when needed.
I can not fathom an manufacturer setting out to make a bad lift truck but it is easy to see where the different ones have their priorites. There are entirely too many "good parts sellers" in the lift truck market today. One can only feel sorry for the people who work for the dealerships that sell those brands and more so for the people who buy them.
Having said that, being a lift truck service company we do appreciate the business they provide. Some brands we can look at the hour meter and know what is going to break next which makes having the parts on hand for when it breaks pretty easy to guess.