Toyota "Drive by Fire" Accelerator

Post by **DPDISXR4Ti** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:53 pm

The real problem is that everyone has been bitching that Toyota makes boring cars.

Some engineer took this to heart. He said, "People want excitement. I'll give them excitement. Nobody will be bored in a Toyota ever again."

We should all be happy, because even though it took them a while, Toyota is making exciting cars again.

Stargazer7467 · Post by **Stargazer7467** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 6:57 pm

toyota can fix the problem but they cant fix stupid, neutral is your friend. Slip the shifter up one notch instead of a 911 call.

Post by **DPDISXR4Ti** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 8:49 pm

Stargazer7467 wrote:toyota can fix the problem but they cant fix stupid, neutral is your friend. Slip the shifter up one notch instead of a 911 call.

Sounds simple enough, but the average John/Mary Doe is horribly inept in a panic situation. Let's not forget, Audi was damn near run out of America because people got confused and stepped on the wrong pedal.

Unlike Audi, in this case, Toyota actually has a problem because they went with the low-bidder who used inferior materials on a $15 accelerator pedal. And if you believe Woz, they also have software issues - probably outsourced the coding to Bangladore.

MerkurScorpio · Post by **MerkurScorpio** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 1:15 pm

Just wondering...does anyone else think that this could be the beginning of the end of Toyota in the U.S. market? With all the evidence that Toyota knew about this and did nothing, it makes me wonder what else they know about but aren't doing anything about. Personally, I would not buy a Toyota without them proving a new commitment to safety over many years.

Post by **John Brennan** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 2:43 pm

I doubt it very much, although it is an opportunity for other car companies to grab a slice of market share.

Post by **DPDISXR4Ti** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 2:59 pm

MerkurScorpio wrote:Just wondering...does anyone else think that this could be the beginning of the end of Toyota in the U.S. market?

Hardly. This blunder may cause Toyota to not achieve it's place as the #1 automotive manufacturer in North America, as it was on pace to do this year, but pull out of the largest market in the world? I don't think so.

Mike McCreight · Post by **Mike McCreight** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:33 pm

MerkurScorpio wrote:Just wondering...does anyone else think that this could be the beginning of the end of Toyota in the U.S. market? With all the evidence that Toyota knew about this and did nothing, it makes me wonder what else they know about but aren't doing anything about. Personally, I would not buy a Toyota without them proving a new commitment to safety over many years.

You're kidding, right?
Toyotas could all turn into Transformers (tm) breathe fire, wreak havoc, slaughter 1000's and still outsell everyone else by the end of the week.
Most people recognize media hype when they see it, and realize that unlike most of the "Bailout Motors" products, are still a better product, with a better history, resale value, and future.
This is sure a big bump in the road for Toyota, but I really don't think that anyone who's ever owned one would go buy a domestic product as a result. The vast majority of Toyota owners really didn't want to buy "Imported" but felt the "Big 3" left them no choice.

Freejack · Post by **Freejack** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 11:32 am

I believe that Toyota has handled this situation about a well as could be expected given the media hype.

In business there comes a certain penalty with being the largest, most respected or most advance in your field especially if you sell a well known consumer product. In these cases you are the most visible in the public eye and every move you make is scrutinized at a level well above any of your competitors. A good example is McDonalds, which is routinely criticized for various reasons, selling unhealthy food, targeting kids, etc. where as several on the lower level fast food chains can get away with more "unacceptable" behavior without receiving the scrutiny McDs does. Can you imagine the outcry that you'd hear if McDonalds decided to run the types of commercials Carl's Jr/Hardees runs?

Toyota is suffering a similar fate. If they were still a 3rd or 4th their automaker, this would not be all over the news, but given their leadership position in both sales and perceived quality, the public makes even bigger issue out of the problem.

Jake

Post by **DPDISXR4Ti** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 8:25 pm

Another day, another Toyota recall - ho hum...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,586265,00.html

I guess the good news is that they'll run out of cars to recall pretty soon.

Post by **DPDISXR4Ti** » Sat Feb 20, 2010 10:00 am

DPDISXR4Ti wrote:Another day, another Toyota recall - ho hum...

Hey, I thought I was kidding when I said that!

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/02/13/tacoma ... index.html

Toyota announced a voluntary safety recall of about 8,000 four-wheel-drive Tacoma trucks in North America, citing potential production defects in the front drive shaft of certain 2010 models.

The automaker said Friday that the front shaft in a small production run of pickups may include a component that developed cracks during the manufacturing process.

xr4man · Post by **xr4man** » Sat Feb 20, 2010 10:35 am

why in the hell is congress getting involved though???

this has nothing to do with running our country.

VIVA TOYOTA!!!!

IceColdMikey · Post by **IceColdMikey** » Sat Feb 20, 2010 10:42 am

xr4man wrote:why in the hell is congress getting involved though???

this has nothing to do with running our country.

VIVA TOYOTA!!!!

Probably because some of those congressmen/women have shares in GM?

Post by **DPDISXR4Ti** » Sat Feb 20, 2010 10:54 am

xr4man wrote:why in the hell is congress getting involved though???

Congress has proven they can't run the country, so they like to get involved in everything else nowadays - baseball, football, car manufacturing, health care.

Welcome to the Socialistic States of America

Post by **John Brennan** » Sat Feb 20, 2010 3:02 pm

DPDISXR4Ti wrote:
xr4man wrote:why in the hell is congress getting involved though???
Congress has proven they can't run the country, so they like to get involved in everything else nowadays - baseball, football, car manufacturing, health care.

Welcome to the Socialistic States of America

Think I'll crash the party...

"What? Oh, no thanks. I brought my own."

Post by **DPDISXR4Ti** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 4:26 pm

This is what happens now that the government has taken over GM and their biggest competition is Toyota....

http://www.latimes.com/business/nationw ... 3178.story