Toyota freezes all sales of 8 models, leaving all dealerships dead in the water
01-26-10, 08:19 PM
#31
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the fault lies with their supplier.
01-26-10, 08:21 PM
#32
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01-26-10, 10:23 PM
#36
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Tighter quality control does seem to be needed.
01-26-10, 10:37 PM
#38
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There are suppliers outside of Japan that can manufacture to Toyota spec - heck, Toyota is buying from companies that supply GM, Ford, Mopar, VW, BMW, and Mercedes. The fault here is 2 fold - CST providing the faulty part, and Toyota using Detroit-style cost cutting.
01-27-10, 12:38 AM
#41
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This is a really serious problem, wow I did not expect this.
Even if this is not Toyota's fault, but the supplier's fault, I expect some heads to roll at Toyota Japan.
This is not good. Toyota needs to implement more stringent quality control with all of it's suppliers, and increase the bar for quality of it's parts.
Suppliers can make mistakes and incorrectly manufacture designs. This is what happened with some of the Tundras Toyota recalled due to rust problems. It was Dana's fault in that recall, not Toyota's. Dana did not properly apply anti-corrosion protection to some of those frames.
If a supplier cannot correctly manufacture or make a part based on Toyota's exact specifications, that is a supplier problem plain and simple.
Unfortunately, because of Toyota's corporate culture, they will usually take the blame even when it is the supplier's fault.
Even if this is not Toyota's fault, but the supplier's fault, I expect some heads to roll at Toyota Japan.
This is not good. Toyota needs to implement more stringent quality control with all of it's suppliers, and increase the bar for quality of it's parts.
If a supplier cannot correctly manufacture or make a part based on Toyota's exact specifications, that is a supplier problem plain and simple.
Unfortunately, because of Toyota's corporate culture, they will usually take the blame even when it is the supplier's fault.
01-27-10, 01:09 AM
#42
Yes they will take the blame, given that the car has Toyota's brand name on it. However, as others have noted, defective parts from a supplier should not have escaped Toyota's scrutiny. I agree that the 'awards' Toyota, Honda, and others have given CTS are now looking very silly. That this pedal design should exhibit premature wear and even jamming shows a lack of quality control, and inadequate aging tests.
There is also the issue of supplier cost controls, and Toyota's constant drive to lower costs. Could they have directly or inadvertently forced CTS to cut corners, producing pedals that don't hold up as well over time? That is also a serious question that needs to be asked. For a part component as fundamental as the accelerator pedal being defective is absolutely unthinkable. Heads definitely should roll if there are key culprits in this pedal supplier situation, but also the corporate culture should be scrutinized if their drive for continuous improvement (e.g. squeezing a drop of water from a dry cloth) has hit a nadir of cutting into safety margins.
Two other thoughts--this is the effect of decision(s) made probably around ten years ago, and what changes have occurred from then to now may factor into how they emerge from this. In addition, given that there are now parts shared across many models, these recalls will look more and more massive.
There is also the issue of supplier cost controls, and Toyota's constant drive to lower costs. Could they have directly or inadvertently forced CTS to cut corners, producing pedals that don't hold up as well over time? That is also a serious question that needs to be asked. For a part component as fundamental as the accelerator pedal being defective is absolutely unthinkable. Heads definitely should roll if there are key culprits in this pedal supplier situation, but also the corporate culture should be scrutinized if their drive for continuous improvement (e.g. squeezing a drop of water from a dry cloth) has hit a nadir of cutting into safety margins.
Two other thoughts--this is the effect of decision(s) made probably around ten years ago, and what changes have occurred from then to now may factor into how they emerge from this. In addition, given that there are now parts shared across many models, these recalls will look more and more massive.
01-27-10, 01:11 AM
#43
Lexus Test Driver
Not sure how to think about this. First thing I thought was, "great, here goes my car's resale value." But no Lexus is being mentioned. Then I for sure feel bad for all the victims that have been claiming all along their cars had problems when no one believed them. Yet I also feel bad for corporate Toyota for now having to face a major crisis. But on the other hand they just got through several years of record sales. Having thought that, perhaps some equalization is going to come into play now. Didn't Toyota recently claim they have "reserves" for recall situations? Or some sort of fund or insurance? Of course this doesn't help out dealerships and salespeople. Going to get very interesting!
01-27-10, 02:34 AM
#45
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Yes they will take the blame, given that the car has Toyota's brand name on it. However, as others have noted, defective parts from a supplier should not have escaped Toyota's scrutiny. I agree that the 'awards' Toyota, Honda, and others have given CTS are now looking very silly. That this pedal design should exhibit premature wear and even jamming shows a lack of quality control, and inadequate aging tests.
There is also the issue of supplier cost controls, and Toyota's constant drive to lower costs. Could they have directly or inadvertently forced CTS to cut corners, producing pedals that don't hold up as well over time? That is also a serious question that needs to be asked. For a part component as fundamental as the accelerator pedal being defective is absolutely unthinkable. Heads definitely should roll if there are key culprits in this pedal supplier situation, but also the corporate culture should be scrutinized if their drive for continuous improvement (e.g. squeezing a drop of water from a dry cloth) has hit a nadir of cutting into safety margins.
Two other thoughts--this is the effect of decision(s) made probably around ten years ago, and what changes have occurred from then to now may factor into how they emerge from this. In addition, given that there are now parts shared across many models, these recalls will look more and more massive.
There is also the issue of supplier cost controls, and Toyota's constant drive to lower costs. Could they have directly or inadvertently forced CTS to cut corners, producing pedals that don't hold up as well over time? That is also a serious question that needs to be asked. For a part component as fundamental as the accelerator pedal being defective is absolutely unthinkable. Heads definitely should roll if there are key culprits in this pedal supplier situation, but also the corporate culture should be scrutinized if their drive for continuous improvement (e.g. squeezing a drop of water from a dry cloth) has hit a nadir of cutting into safety margins.
Two other thoughts--this is the effect of decision(s) made probably around ten years ago, and what changes have occurred from then to now may factor into how they emerge from this. In addition, given that there are now parts shared across many models, these recalls will look more and more massive.
Also just to refresh some memories:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...d=a9yJCGNHdGWs
“How many times have you made a mistake?” Shoichiro grilled Watanabe, who sat silently among stunned audience members, according to a person familiar with the meeting.
It does seem to me that since Akio Tododa became president, Toyota Motor Co. is making recalls to correct past mistakes, and to make sure future ones don't happen.
Their reputation is taking a hit right now, but hopefully it is for the better long-term.
One can only hope that Akio Toyoda is steering the company on the right path again.