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Automotive News & Views Toyota in decline in 2009?
3863 messages, Last post on Dec 08, 2009 at 8:24 PM
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Replying to: anythngbutgm (Aug 29, 2006 4:59 am) More often than not, the same big dealership chains own both import and domestic stores, and their business philosophy doesn't vary from one building to the other. This trend is accelerating, and the small family-owned single outlet dealership is rapidly disappearing, except in the more rural areas of the country. Oh, you might get more deluxe and individualized service for the luxury makes, but certainly there is no difference for comparable import and domestic models. And about "secret" or "hidden" recalls, weren't they invented by the Detroit 3? Besides, "service campaigns" are fully accepted as legitimate by NHTSA, as long as no serious safety defect is involved. BTW, there is a difference between a hidden recall and a service campaign. In a hidden recall, only people who bring their cars into the dealership and complain about a particular problem may get it resolved for free. In a service campaign, all owners are notified by mail just as is the case for a safety recall. It's just that service campaigns don't have the same legal standing as safety recalls, because they don't involve serious safety defects or noncompliance with a federal safety standard.
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Replying to: priggly (Aug 28, 2006 11:15 pm) The thing with the Tundra involved improperly manufactured ball joints by its supplier, and the ball joints are being replaced under recall. No injuries occurred as a result of this problem. Toyota is not being investigated for "hiding defects". Two former Toyota executives are being investigated by the Japanese commerce ministry for ignoring evidence that a particular design may have been flawed. It is relevant to note that this supposed "flaw" caused no problems AT ALL anywhere in the world until an 11-year-old Hilux Surf crashed last year. One 11-year-old truck prompted this safety investigation, which led to the "revelation" that a questionable decision was made in going with the steering design it had, which is still under investigation. The Japanese government has already made the statement that there was no criminal wrongdoing here. There were half a million Hilux Surfs (4Runner in the U.S.) and pick-ups going out of Toyota factories every year for eight years with the steering design in question. And ONE developed a problem in 11 years. That problem led to a crash. It may turn out that the maintenance of this vehicle, already 11 years old when the crash occurred, was neglected, which led to the accident. But despite the actual FACTS of the case, this and a couple of headlines about increasing Toyota recalls cause every anti-Toyota hysteric in the woodwork to come running out making statements that have no accuracy at all.  Toyota DOES have a problem with less effective QC in the last couple of years, as a result of enormous manufacturing expansion outside Japan, and it needs to slow down and get an iron grip on this problem. And that's the extent of it. I think we will find that three years from now, the reliability studies still place Toyota near the top.
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Replying to: nippononly (Aug 28, 2006 11:59 am) 
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Actually I know a lot about the issue, I drive one of the non recalled vehicles that is under investigation by the Government right now. Toyota hasn't recalled all of the suspected models. Some people can try to blindly support a company for whatever reason, but I think it is the CONSUMER who should be protected. One can try to minimize the defect, but loss of steering is a big issue for me! The accident in Japan highlights a defect that was known by Toyota since 1996. Toyota chose not to recall the vehicles until after 5 people (including kids) were seriously hurt by the accident caused when the defective, non-recalled Toyota went outof control and hit another vehicle head on. Considering this wasn't the only problem reported and Toyota recalled the vehicles 2 months after the accident shows the seriousness of the defect. The Wall St Journal quote from the Senior Toyota Engineer about Toyota not going to "hide" defects anymore pretty much sums up what a lot of consumers suspected about Toyota. To blame consumers for being concerned shows the insensitivity of some who will support a company no matter what comes out. Their credibility is zero in my book. |
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Replying to: nippononly (Aug 29, 2006 6:20 am) |
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Replying to: priggly (Aug 28, 2006 11:15 pm) Well you have been living in a cocoon for the last 20 yrs because if you peruse the detroiter boards here you'll find - '45,000 miles? Fix your own tranny' ( twice in my case ) - I know this is the 7th time you've had it in here but we have no idea what's going on here ( Chrysler LHS first year out ) [ insert your own nameplate ] - the guy who had a friend's GM truck crap out on him in his driveway and he impounded the vehicle because the GM dealer wouldn't pick it up.
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...I have considered American-made products as becoming increasingly better instead of stagnating or becoming worse. I also am beginning to see that all Japanese brands are not infalliable. Father: Say thirty Hail Toyotas and pray for forgiveness for your sins. |
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Replying to: kdhspyder (Aug 29, 2006 7:32 am)
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Replying to: phinneas519 (Aug 29, 2006 7:49 am) As in my two cases the cost was $2500 each and at 45000 miles any Toyota or Lexus is still under warranty...Cost $0. |
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Replying to: kdhspyder (Aug 29, 2006 8:40 am)
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