IT JUST GETS WORSE AND WORSE FOR POOR TOYOTA
Not that I really care, but Toyota have dug a huge hole for themselves and the timing could not be worse. I have always claimed two things about Toyota, firstly they dumped their cars into the local market and secondly when the cost to keep Japanese executives on the American payroll became too great, they took on a bunch of disgruntled ex-employees for the “Big Three”. For me, I think the Japanese takes the world to be a bunch of tasteless idiots with the bland design of their cars. I would feel embarrassed to be seen driving a Prius or Avalon for starters. For years American’s have listened to the auto pundits tell us American manufacturers need to catch up on quality control is they are going to compete. Every time any of the “Big Three” have had a recall, out come the doomsayers telling us Chrysler, G.M. and Ford ought to shut shop and let Toyota and the other foreign manufacturers of cars supply America.
Isn’t it funny that over the past year with the exception of now Italian-owned Chrysler, Ford and G.M. have the most exciting range of cars on the market, but more importantly the public image of quality American auto standards has returned to just like the good old days when G.M. had 50% market share and Ford and Chrysler were fighting for the remainder. Last year the former besieged former Chairman/CEO of G.M. Rick Wagoner was portrayed as a fool. He was ridiculed when he tried to tell America G.M. was bringing out a range of automobiles that drivers would love and their competitors would envy. He was on the money, but he never envisioned Toyota falling off their bicycle to help them along!
Two colleagues at work decided four years back to buy Toyota. One became sick and tired of their credit department hounding him for the payment even before it was due so he paid them off and sold the car. The other was told to take a hike when he discovered the roof of his car starting eat away with rust and asked if the problem was under warranty. He spent $500 re-spraying the roof and sold it on Ebay within a week. Initially both were impressed with their vehicles, but the novelty soon wore off. When it came to service and feeling like a customer, Toyota fell far short. One copied me and now owns a Pontiac and the other opted for a European brand. They are adamant they would never buy Toyota again. I wonder how many other Americans will start feeling the same way, keeping a wide berth from Toyota. I reckon millions!
Mr Toyoda did the typical Japanese thing, basically dived into his bunker and resurfaced when he thought the coast would be clear. That behavior might have worked twenty years ago but today as Tiger Woods can attest to, silence will not allow the problem to disappear. His apologies at the one or two press conferences Toyota has mustered have rung rather hollow. Why? Toyota tried hard for months, probably years, to sweep the problem of eight million defective cars under the carpet.
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