Have Toyota execs learned from the recall ... of 2006?

[DainBramaged]

Akio Toyoda and Shinichi Sasaki hold a press conference, apologize for a rash of recalls and then explain how Toyota Motor Corp. will improve quality so it never happens again.

If you think this scene sounds familiar from last week, try four years ago.

History is repeating itself at Toyota, and it's not pretty -- especially since the same people are coming out to reassure the public about the same problems. Perhaps more lamentable is that, despite pledges to get quality right, the lapses have multiplied.

Back in 2006, Sasaki had just been appointed the carmaker's quality czar in the midst of a previous quality crisis triggered by a series of recalls worldwide. Toyoda was Sasaki's boss as executive vice president in charge of quality.

What ensued was a dress rehearsal for today's recall emergency.

Sasaki and Toyoda faced the public to apologize and announce that the company would improve its quality and reliability by reorganizing, reviewing its quality processes and urging customers to report problems promptly to dealers.

Toyoda, grandson of the company's founder, said he was "ashamed" of the problems.

Fast forward to February 2010. The same duo is again in the spotlight and apologizing.


Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100222/OEM02/302229951/1126#ixzz0gP9kPHVm

[951-Riverside]

1. Why is his name "Toyoda"?

I just noticed that.

Edit: The leaders of Toyota in Japan live in their little bubble and this will be their downfall. In Japan all they would have to do is make a half ass statement, bow then move on and they think doing that in this case will make it all go away too. I suspect once they see a significant decrease in profits they will change their tune quickly.

[DainBramaged]

2. I wish I knew......maybe he has a problem with T's?

[c brand]

3. Like somebody has a problem with d and b

Maybe it's time for some flied lice jokes, too, eh?

[DainBramaged]

4. I thought you left?

[DainBramaged]

5. (Sigh)