Toyota CEO testifying, "knows nothing".

[dixiegrrrrl]

Does not know:
when problem started
when recalls started
what problem is
what is being done to fix problem
how many cars are affected
why the 1995 Camry cars will not be fixed ( but says they are not being fixed)
why no one has done anything to address the problem.

Turns out he is American CEO, degree in marketing, but knows....nothing

[leftstreet]

1. Under oath, right?

:shrug:

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Yeah.

He is being roasted by John Dingall, Michigan.
Sharp direct questions, " answer yes or no".
The questions are more intelligent than the answers by the CEO.

What a dufus.

[joeybee12]

3. He knows nothing, eh? Well, the Repukes on the committee can relate to that...n/t

[KansDem]

4. Yeah, and the tobacco execs "didn't know" nicotine was addictive...

Tobacco Executives Wax Penitent Before House Panel in Hopes of Preserving Accord
By BARRY MEIER
Published: January 30, 1998

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29— Four years after top tobacco company officials denied before a Congressional committee that cigarettes were addictive, a new crop of executives appeared today before the same panel as supplicants, pledging to release secret company documents, combat teen-age smoking and acknowledge tobacco risks in an effort to gain protection from lawsuits.

The testimony by the chief executives of the nation's five largest tobacco companies before the House Commerce Committee came as Congress began formal debate over the proposed $368.5 billion settlement reached in June between the industry and some 40 state attorneys general.

The officials sought in both the tone and substance of their remarks to rally support for the embattled accord and distance themselves from their predecessors, who had declared in a 1994 Congressional appearance that they never marketed tobacco to children -- and even questioned links between smoking and diseases like lung cancer.

Geoffrey Bible, chairman of the Philip Morris Companies, the nation's largest cigarette producer, testified that, in hindsight, he deeply regretted the years of festering conflict that had existed between the tobacco industry and anti-smoking advocates. He said the proposed settlement offered a chance to change that relationship.

--more--
NY Times

When are we going to learn that corporations do not have the best interests of Americans at heart?

[KittyWampus]

5. that's why they pay him the big bucks.

[TroglodyteScholar]

33. +1000 n/t

[Kittycat]

6. He probably thinks complete deniability sounds better than, "I do not recall"

[20Jan1961]

7. And the Supreme Court just let corporations like Toyota buy our elections?

I don't see how corporate incompetence/negligence mixed with unlimited control of our elections could go wrong!

Why do we treat these corporate behemoths as if they were people just like you and me? Why don't we do something about it?

After watching this video, I think they've got it right, I'm going to start fighting! ItsOurDemocracy.com

[Libertas1776]

8. Gee,

he's a regular Sergeant Schultz, ain't he :eyes:

[DefenseLawyer]

9. Ahhh, the popular "Sgt. Schultz defense"

[geardaddy]

10. Damn!

You beat me to it. lol

[Turbineguy]

11. Put a marketing guy

in charge of engineering problems.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34ag4nkSh7Q

[defendandprotect]

12. And this makes me even more suspicious that Toyota is being undermined . . .

for the benefit of the American oil industry --

[Romulox]

16. Would you mind starting an OP on this subject? I find your theories....fascinating.

:rofl:

[defendandprotect]

36. I'll also start one on the

"undermining" of the Democratic Party by corporations --

Oh -- guess that hasn't happened either!

:eyes:

[Romulox]

44. So...not going to start a thread then? It's too bad, because I think EVERYBODY would get a kick out

of it! :hi:

[defendandprotect]

45. Everyone gets a KICK out of corruption -- Saudis now own 4th largest stake in Fox News . . .!!

Who says we need a "free press" anyway?

:evilgrin:


:hi:

[Romulox]

46. Which makes your Toyota less of a deathtrap HOW, exactly?

:shrug:

[defendandprotect]

48. MY Toyota? Toyota drove their company off a cliff and I'm wondering why . ..

Unless we're pretendng to be asleep we understand that the oil industry is

corrupt and will engage in illegalities to get their way.

If they have played any role in putting this "deathtrap" on our roads --

or if they played an role in ignoring this "deathtrap" then I think we should know

about it--

Our government and its agencies have ALL been undermined by corporations --

is that a surprise to you?

Capitalism and corporatism are corrupt -- is that a surprise to you?

And many of our elected officials are corrupt -- is that a surprise to you?

Our CIA post-WWII worked for decades and probably still do to keep right wing government

in place in Japan -- and in other European countries --

Is that a surprise to you?

Wondering just why Toyota would have thrown away their reputation as a reliable company

seems a rather basic question to me --

Granted capitalism is suicidal for all of us - but the decisions which led to this

calamity and who made those decisions should be a question we want answered.


Shouldn't it -- ?

:shrug: :shrug:

[Kalyke]

27. What?

So I guess they're going to go after Ford next since it builds a nicer-looking car that provides an easier drive, as well as fantastic gas mileage?

The reliability of the Fusion has slightly exceeded the Accord and Camry in CR reliability studies. If the hybrid version follows this tradition, the only real advantage the Prius will have is better fuel economy - when it's not crashing into things and generally looking like a bug.

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Ford_Fusion/Reliability/
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Toyota_Prius/


Yes the Toyota Prius retains the wedge look that everyone has come to loathe. It does at least have some better looking headlights and rims. And the shape is part of what makes the Prius so fuel efficient. Still if I were to make love to the Prius I would have to put a bag over her head. On the other hand the Ford Fusion fusionHybrid looks like an everyday Ford. So if you really care about being GREEN, and not being seen in a green car. Then the Fusion is up your alley. But the recognizable shape of the Prius is what yuppies buy. Although the Fusion is a bit too normal looking is still wins in the looks department.


:rofl:

[defendandprotect]

34. How many electric cars were crushed in LA . . . 5,000 or more?

How many towns/cities lost their electric trolley service when they

were "privatized" into private hands and automobile companies pulled

up the tracks and destroyed them?

Ah, just a bit of corrupt capitalistic competitition -- ?

[anonymous171]

35. Toyota is a private company. They don't give a shit about you

Just like every other company out there.

[defendandprotect]

37. Private companies don't usually commit suicide . . .

at least, not without knowing that the American taxpayer will bail them out --

At least that's our latest experience with capitalism, isn't it --?


E1 -- all of them crushed by GM --

[Kalyke]

38. Dear... the Japanese provide the R & D for all their car companies.

The American's don't.

And, now, Ford is still kicking their asses.

:yawn:

[defendandprotect]

39. Ford Focus is an electric?

11 Billion to Ford in loan guarantees -- and how much of the business have

they shut down?

How much help from government in rebates -- Cash for clunkers --

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070910/SUB/70907052/1078&refsect=

http://www.covnews.com/news/archive/4859/


http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ford-bailout-free-but-still-begging/


22 mpg --

and all of 31 mpg on the highway!!!

Are you kidding me!!

Prius 52 mpg -- !!!

Just a bit of difference --


Nissan Rogue gets at least 42 mpg -- !!!

The public wants electric cars --

Again -- whatever Toyota has done was suicide --

and until now, they didn't seem to have much of an inclination for it --

There's a great enthusiasm for the electric car and hybrids --

Prius sales were excellent --

And as I understand it, other cars of this nature are also having same difficulties --

Ford Focus Car and steering wheel shakes on acceleration ...
Ford Focus Car and steering wheel shakes on acceleration ... When accelerating at around 2000-3000revs the car and steering wheel shakes and the car struggles to accelerate. ...
www.autoinsider.co.uk/problems/show.php?problem=4182 - Cached

[Romulox]

47. Yes, there is a Focus electric. READ first, POST second. nt

[defendandprotect]

49. And, evidently Ford has had a similar problem with their electric car . . .

And, back a bit, we were hearing that it had something to do with hitting

a bump or pothole --

That seemed to be a common way for this acceleration problem to happen --

Something about creating a "gap" in the mechanism --

[Romulox]

50. So, didn't bother reading, huh? Focus Electric comes out next year...

Thanks for reporting on the problems it's having though! :rofl:

[defendandprotect]

51. Ford has had a problem with their electric car which has been on the market . ..

whatevere name it is because I'm not familiar with their names --

Now go back two or three messages and deal with the actual information

in them --

American government financial support of Ford, etal --

[DainBramaged]

42. I see you've been arguing with a brick wall........

I love ignore, it makes mornings so, special..........



:rofl:

[anonymous171]

32. Toyota makes cars, just like evil gaijin Amerikkkan companies.

Your theory is dumb.

[City Lights]

13. The names and faces change, but the game remains the same.

x(

[TheCowsCameHome]

14. He missed a good career in GOP politics.

[Brickbat]

15. Well, there's a company I feel confident about!

I can't believe anyone gives any kind of money to this company -- hard-earned cash to buy a car, tax breaks to get a factory, whatever. What a complete and utter joke.

[dixiegrrrrl]

17. It was a rather embarrassing scene.

The CEO of American Toyota, guy called Lentz, essentially said he has no idea what is going on, has no idea what Toyota people in Japan ( his bosses) think about the issue, has no idea about American recalls, dates, numbers of cars, frequency, knows nada.
But he "feels" for the poor people who owns the cars and had problems.
" It pains us when a Toyota owner dies".
" MY wife drives a Toyota" ( so there!!!!)

I guess that is why they pay him the big bucks.

Most of the panel is not happy with him.

[gratuitous]

20. Hey, money just falls out of the sky into his pocket

No sense asking why, or inquiring too deeply into the matter. Just take the money and run.

Toyota has seen the sterling example set by other companies like Ford and GM, and they know the surest way for avoiding responsibility for manufacturing dangerously defective products is to stall, obfuscate, deny knowledge, and wait. Their victims will eventually die ("age out of the market" in corpospeak), and the company will go on. And those big fat paychecks will continue uninterrupted.

[blueworld]

18. Alberto Gonzales runs Toyota???? n/t

[kestrel91316]

19. Well now, he just earned THIS year's $100 million bonus, didn't he?

[dixiegrrrrl]

21. Now he is saying that decisions to fix the problem rests in Japan

and he has no authority to deal with the problem, Toyota in Japan does.

Globalization...ain't it wonderful.

[amborin]

26. K&R he may be telling the truth in this one instance, though; overall c and c often

resides in home nation

but the whole thing is shameful and criminal

[DainBramaged]

22. I KNOW NOTHING

[NoNothing]

24. I know how he feels

[Javaman]

23. Followed by...

I only know how to count money.

[Gin]

25. are other countries having the same issues with Toyotas?

[dixiegrrrrl]

28. That was asked but he did not anwer directly.

Excellent question, too.

He just now admitted " I think we lost sight of the customers".

btw..I am listening to the hearings because I no longer trust the MSM to report on the details.

and what I am hearing is that Toyota is not being honest or open about the problem, and the problem has been ongoing since 2002.
And I am hearing a lot of CYA ( turns out there is a herd of lawyers sitting behind the CEO dufus).

[dixiegrrrrl]

29. just found out..yes, other countries were having problems.

"3:27 p.m.: Asked how recalls for unintended acceleration years ago could have taken place in Europe and elsewhere, but not the U.S., Lentz replies: "We didn't do a very good job of sharing information around the globe." Lentz acknowledges that it doesn't know whether Toyota has solved the problems, despite earlier public statements. He reiterates that based on "what we know today," it's not the electronics."

[Gin]

30. this guy needs to be in the driver seat and have Dr. Gilbert recreate

the accelerating scenario....he needs to feel the fear

[defendandprotect]

31. Hired for his innocent look --

except who would believe any of the testimony!

Comments from Toyota recently about the Democrats being tough on them

made me wonder what their contributions to the parties may have been?

Especially to the GOP?

[Kablooie]

40. Toyoda, the real CEO probably won't be around much longer.

This kind of situation is exactly the kind of thing that Hara Kiri is done for.

And yes, it is still done in Japan sometimes. It's the honorable way to respond to a shameful situation.

When there was a JAL crash several years ago, the CEO, as soon as he made sure the problem was found and fixed took his own life.

And so far Toyota's response has been pretty shameful, even now.

[defendandprotect]

52. Didn't see all of the hearing, but the grandson said the info he was given

BEFORE he took over the company was different from the information afterwards --

And, the current lawsuits pending are helping to keep a lid on pushing them for info.

[nc4bo]

41. Well bless his heart.

This may become very interesting soon, as well it should.

[marmar]

43. Sounds like Rumsfeld

There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don't know we don't know.