Toyota recalls and related issues: BusinessWeek-Media owes Toyota an apology
02-17-10, 09:38 PM
#496
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02-18-10, 05:58 AM
#497
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i heard ceo of toyota won't come to the hearings. i think that's a big PR mistake.
02-18-10, 08:32 AM
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He will come if he is asked to appear at the hearings; otherwise he won't come. The rationale is that he is very busy right now going through a top-to-bottom review of all policies and procedures within the company related to quality.
02-18-10, 09:28 AM
#499
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Not being an American citizen, he is probably not subject to a Congressional subpoena, but, as you point out, the reputation of the company may be at stake.
And still, even so, we may not be missing much. I've watched a number of corporate big-wigs testify before, and a lot of what they have to say (indeed, like the very politicians they're sitting in front of) is double-talk. That's not to say that ALL of what they have to say is B.S., but you can tell that at least some of it is done simply for damage control, political, or PR effect.
Last edited by mmarshall; 02-18-10 at 09:33 AM.
02-18-10, 03:17 PM
#500
CEO Akio Toyoda to testify before Congress
CEO Akio Toyoda to testify before Congress:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...754600732.html
They've also subpoenaed the former Toyota lawyer who accused his bosses of a coverup, along with documents which his own lawyers later found contained no such evidence. I wonder how many media outlets will mention his discredited history? It didn't stop ABC News from interviewing him recently, without mention that.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...754600732.html
They've also subpoenaed the former Toyota lawyer who accused his bosses of a coverup, along with documents which his own lawyers later found contained no such evidence. I wonder how many media outlets will mention his discredited history? It didn't stop ABC News from interviewing him recently, without mention that.
02-18-10, 04:02 PM
#501
I get the benefits of electric steering, but . . .
what happens if the electric steering unit loses power? Will you still be able to steer the car?
I don't know the whole workings of electric steering.
Haven't tried this. Hmm.
You got to wonder, if it ain't broke, why fix it?
what happens if the electric steering unit loses power? Will you still be able to steer the car?
I don't know the whole workings of electric steering.
The electronic, Drive-by-Wire throttles have also had some other issues unrelated to runaway acceleration. Some Lexus models (including my old IS300) have had problems with very sluggish throttle response/acceleration on rolling starts at low speeds. You would slow to 5 or 10 MPH, hit the gas, and almost nothing at all would happen for several seconds.
You got to wonder, if it ain't broke, why fix it?
Last edited by dsp979; 02-18-10 at 04:15 PM.
02-20-10, 09:06 AM
#502
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Originally Posted by mmarshall
BTW, on the public news tonight, the Toyota CEO said he was not going to actually testify himself, but send some of his execs to do the talking. Whether he changes his mind or not and testifies remains to be seen.
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/02...-over-recalls/
02-20-10, 11:28 AM
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He can write and understands English perfectly. The hesitation is more that he cannot speak it fluently. In Japan, when you ask anyone something in English, they usually will wave no and bow and step backwards- not that they do not understand, but they are embarrassed they cannot speak it fluently.
Akio worked at Toyota USA several years ago, met all the important Toyota visiors, etc. and he also took Graduate School in the East Coast.... then worked odd jobs in various Toyota departments and even dealerships!
He may not be too familiar with the exact details of what has been going on lately and in litigation it is always the safer way to assign a subordinate who knows more first hand.
There is real ugly politics and vendetta going on here. He was "invited" but not Subpoenaed- after he earlier said he was not coming.
Shame is a real big cutural thing in Japan. It is this same culture why maybe Toyota USA could not respond in a more timely matter, instead using a "silent recall" mode.
It was Motorsport day at Toyota last Wednesday- Toyota sponsored teams and associates displayed their race vehicles... but the general feeling in the whole Torrance campus was like Ground Zero.
Real sad days... but like a disciplined child- Toyota will become better and stronger.
Akio worked at Toyota USA several years ago, met all the important Toyota visiors, etc. and he also took Graduate School in the East Coast.... then worked odd jobs in various Toyota departments and even dealerships!
He may not be too familiar with the exact details of what has been going on lately and in litigation it is always the safer way to assign a subordinate who knows more first hand.
There is real ugly politics and vendetta going on here. He was "invited" but not Subpoenaed- after he earlier said he was not coming.
Shame is a real big cutural thing in Japan. It is this same culture why maybe Toyota USA could not respond in a more timely matter, instead using a "silent recall" mode.
It was Motorsport day at Toyota last Wednesday- Toyota sponsored teams and associates displayed their race vehicles... but the general feeling in the whole Torrance campus was like Ground Zero.
Real sad days... but like a disciplined child- Toyota will become better and stronger.
Last edited by TOYSPORT; 02-20-10 at 06:24 PM. Reason: added info
02-20-10, 11:49 AM
#505
He can write and understands English perfectly. The hesitation is more that he cannot speak it fluently. In Japan, when you ask anyone something in English, they usually will wave no and bow and step backwards- not that they do not understand, but they are embarrassed they cannot speak it fluently.
Akio worked at Toyota USA several years ago, met all the important Toyota visiors, etc. and he also took Graduate School in the East Coast.... then worked odd jobs in various Toyota departments and even dealerships!
He may not be too familiar with the exact details of what has been going on lately and in litigation it is always the safer way to assign a subordinate who knows more first hand.
There is real ugly politics and vendetta going on here. He was "invited" but not Subpoenaed- after he earlier said he was not coming.
Shame is a real big cutural thing in Japan. It is this same culture why maybe Toyota USA could not respond in a more timely matter, instead using a "silent recall" mode.
It was Motorsport day at Toyota last Wednesday- Toyota sponsored teams and associates displayed there race vehicles... but the general feeling in the whole Torrance campus was like Ground Zero.
Real sad days... but like a disciplined child- Toyota will become better and stronger.
Akio worked at Toyota USA several years ago, met all the important Toyota visiors, etc. and he also took Graduate School in the East Coast.... then worked odd jobs in various Toyota departments and even dealerships!
He may not be too familiar with the exact details of what has been going on lately and in litigation it is always the safer way to assign a subordinate who knows more first hand.
There is real ugly politics and vendetta going on here. He was "invited" but not Subpoenaed- after he earlier said he was not coming.
Shame is a real big cutural thing in Japan. It is this same culture why maybe Toyota USA could not respond in a more timely matter, instead using a "silent recall" mode.
It was Motorsport day at Toyota last Wednesday- Toyota sponsored teams and associates displayed there race vehicles... but the general feeling in the whole Torrance campus was like Ground Zero.
Real sad days... but like a disciplined child- Toyota will become better and stronger.
02-20-10, 04:13 PM
#506
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He can write and understands English perfectly. The hesitation is more that he cannot speak it fluently. In Japan, when you ask anyone something in English, they usually will wave no and bow and step backwards- not that they do not understand, but they are embarrassed they cannot speak it fluently.
Akio worked at Toyota USA several years ago, met all the important Toyota visiors, etc. and he also took Graduate School in the East Coast.... then worked odd jobs in various Toyota departments and even dealerships!
He may not be too familiar with the exact details of what has been going on lately and in litigation it is always the safer way to assign a subordinate who knows more first hand.
There is real ugly politics and vendetta going on here. He was "invited" but not Subpoenaed- after he earlier said he was not coming.
Shame is a real big cutural thing in Japan. It is this same culture why maybe Toyota USA could not respond in a more timely matter, instead using a "silent recall" mode.
It was Motorsport day at Toyota last Wednesday- Toyota sponsored teams and associates displayed there race vehicles... but the general feeling in the whole Torrance campus was like Ground Zero.
Real sad days... but like a disciplined child- Toyota will become better and stronger.
Akio worked at Toyota USA several years ago, met all the important Toyota visiors, etc. and he also took Graduate School in the East Coast.... then worked odd jobs in various Toyota departments and even dealerships!
He may not be too familiar with the exact details of what has been going on lately and in litigation it is always the safer way to assign a subordinate who knows more first hand.
There is real ugly politics and vendetta going on here. He was "invited" but not Subpoenaed- after he earlier said he was not coming.
Shame is a real big cutural thing in Japan. It is this same culture why maybe Toyota USA could not respond in a more timely matter, instead using a "silent recall" mode.
It was Motorsport day at Toyota last Wednesday- Toyota sponsored teams and associates displayed there race vehicles... but the general feeling in the whole Torrance campus was like Ground Zero.
Real sad days... but like a disciplined child- Toyota will become better and stronger.
.
02-20-10, 06:42 PM
#507
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the problem Toyota is facing in responding to all the negative news is that they are now all lawyered-up and PR crisis manged. Toyota has one main spokesperson M.M.- but if you read the statements emanating from Toyota there are now 5-6 named as spokesperson.
Toyota USA wanted to respond a certain way, but Toyota Japan calls the final shot. Then the Japanese government adds to the distraction by simoultaneously attacking Toyota and then defending Toyota (and the rest of the Japanese auto industry).
The NHTSA was caught not doing it's job- and is now taking it against Toyota: over-reacting and bypassing standard procedures on investigation and recalls. In the future- all manufacturers will suffer because the lawyers will have a field day going thru all the NHTSA records, where they will find out that Toyota has a better record than anyone. But Toyota is on the hot seat and Toyota has the dough so it is the perfect storm....
there is no such thing as a 100% perfect product, more than 98% of accidents are caused by operator error-the other 2% by all the oher variables (natural and mechanical) that can be attributed to the circumstance...
did all the electronic safety devices help? definitely yes, but how to defend it against supposed malfunction? human error is the biggest factor here, all the devices were designed to help the operators' shortcomings- and the ultimate control is with the operator. If he cannot manage a modern car with all the electronics than maybe he should not drive it?
Toyota USA wanted to respond a certain way, but Toyota Japan calls the final shot. Then the Japanese government adds to the distraction by simoultaneously attacking Toyota and then defending Toyota (and the rest of the Japanese auto industry).
The NHTSA was caught not doing it's job- and is now taking it against Toyota: over-reacting and bypassing standard procedures on investigation and recalls. In the future- all manufacturers will suffer because the lawyers will have a field day going thru all the NHTSA records, where they will find out that Toyota has a better record than anyone. But Toyota is on the hot seat and Toyota has the dough so it is the perfect storm....
there is no such thing as a 100% perfect product, more than 98% of accidents are caused by operator error-the other 2% by all the oher variables (natural and mechanical) that can be attributed to the circumstance...
did all the electronic safety devices help? definitely yes, but how to defend it against supposed malfunction? human error is the biggest factor here, all the devices were designed to help the operators' shortcomings- and the ultimate control is with the operator. If he cannot manage a modern car with all the electronics than maybe he should not drive it?
Last edited by TOYSPORT; 02-20-10 at 07:00 PM.
02-20-10, 06:53 PM
#508
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the problem Toyota is facing in responding to all the negative news is that they are now all lawyered-up and PR crisis manged. Toyota has one main spokesperson M.M.- but if you read the statements emanating from Toyota there are now 5-6 named as spokesperson.
Toyota USA wanted to respond a certain way, but Toyota Japan calls the final shot. Then the Japanese government adds to the distraction by simoultaneously attacking Toyota and then defending Toyota (and the rest of the Japanese auto industry).
The NHTSA was caught not doing it's job- and is now taking it against Toyota: over-reacting and bypassing standard procedures on investigation and recalls. In the future- all manufacturers will suffer because the lawyers will have a field day going thru all the NHTSA records, where they will find out that Toyota has a better record than anyone. But Toyota is on the hot seat and Toyota has the dough so it is the perfect storm....
there is no such thing as a 100% perfect product, more than 98% of accidents are caused by operator error-the other 2% by all the oher variables (natural and mechanical) that can be attributed to the circumstance...
did all the electronic safety devices help? definitely yes, but how to defend it against supposed malfunction? human error is the biggest factor here, all the devices were designed to help the operators' shortcomings- and the ultimate control is with the operator. If he cannot manage a modern car with all the electronics than maybe he should not drive it?
Toyota USA wanted to respond a certain way, but Toyota Japan calls the final shot. Then the Japanese government adds to the distraction by simoultaneously attacking Toyota and then defending Toyota (and the rest of the Japanese auto industry).
The NHTSA was caught not doing it's job- and is now taking it against Toyota: over-reacting and bypassing standard procedures on investigation and recalls. In the future- all manufacturers will suffer because the lawyers will have a field day going thru all the NHTSA records, where they will find out that Toyota has a better record than anyone. But Toyota is on the hot seat and Toyota has the dough so it is the perfect storm....
there is no such thing as a 100% perfect product, more than 98% of accidents are caused by operator error-the other 2% by all the oher variables (natural and mechanical) that can be attributed to the circumstance...
did all the electronic safety devices help? definitely yes, but how to defend it against supposed malfunction? human error is the biggest factor here, all the devices were designed to help the operators' shortcomings- and the ultimate control is with the operator. If he cannot manage a modern car with all the electronics than maybe he should not drive it?
Last edited by LexFather; 02-20-10 at 07:20 PM.
02-21-10, 06:27 AM
#509
nobody cares of the actual ratings of toyota@nthsa... edmunds researched it, it was 4th best overall, above all full line manufacturers and competition....nobody mentions it anymore.
why would they? lahood says that he is on mission to make toyota fix every car. whenever it slows down, media and politicians bring it up again.
p.s. If GlaxoSmithKline was an non-USA company, there would be hundreds of people in jail now. But now, apperantly media is defending them despite study showing 83,000 heart attacks due to their diabetes medicine. There are 350 articles on google right now about it... and 20,000 about toyota recalls.
83,000 vs 5... and 5 wins. its funny. and sad.
why would they? lahood says that he is on mission to make toyota fix every car. whenever it slows down, media and politicians bring it up again.
p.s. If GlaxoSmithKline was an non-USA company, there would be hundreds of people in jail now. But now, apperantly media is defending them despite study showing 83,000 heart attacks due to their diabetes medicine. There are 350 articles on google right now about it... and 20,000 about toyota recalls.
83,000 vs 5... and 5 wins. its funny. and sad.
02-21-10, 07:45 AM
#510
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spwolf - don't confuse the issue with facts. 
you're right, it isn't 'fair' but politics, and life, are never entirely fair.
sometimes a person or organization is at the wrong place at the wrong time. and sometimes when that happens they react poorly or insufficiently, too. i think TOYSPORT's comment that perhaps japanese culture and strong control by the toyota's japanese headquarters (i've heard u.s. subsidiaries of japanese companies, perhaps toyota too, have very little control over strategy or even operational flexibility) have made this mess FAR WORSE than it needed to be.
yes, they have an overzealous administration against them, an administration hell bent on helping GM and UAW by bashing toyota, but toyota has played this ALL WRONG. they've tried to be the 'nice guy' and they're getting stomped. they needed to come out and VIGOROUSLY defend themselves, their safety records, compare themselves against others, sue slanderers, aggressively seek a settlement with LEGITIMATE claimants, put major short term incentives on vehicles, and on and on.
you're right, it isn't 'fair' but politics, and life, are never entirely fair.
sometimes a person or organization is at the wrong place at the wrong time. and sometimes when that happens they react poorly or insufficiently, too. i think TOYSPORT's comment that perhaps japanese culture and strong control by the toyota's japanese headquarters (i've heard u.s. subsidiaries of japanese companies, perhaps toyota too, have very little control over strategy or even operational flexibility) have made this mess FAR WORSE than it needed to be.
yes, they have an overzealous administration against them, an administration hell bent on helping GM and UAW by bashing toyota, but toyota has played this ALL WRONG. they've tried to be the 'nice guy' and they're getting stomped. they needed to come out and VIGOROUSLY defend themselves, their safety records, compare themselves against others, sue slanderers, aggressively seek a settlement with LEGITIMATE claimants, put major short term incentives on vehicles, and on and on.