What stalled feds on Toyota? (ample evidenence might be electronic cause for unexplained accelerati

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/apr/26/what-stalled-feds-on-toyota/

Monday, April 26, 2010

There are still tough questions to be answered about Toyota's massive vehicle recalls for sudden unwanted acceleration. But beyond Toyota's responsibility lies this essential question: What took the federal government so long to get cracking on this mess?

Diagnosing the cause of sudden unwanted acceleration in Toyota cars remains a riddle despite the series of recalls by the Japanese manufacturer. Critics have rightly blamed the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) and its parent Department of Transportation for not demanding an earlier Toyota recall -- and for neglecting ample evidence that there might be an electronic cause for unexplained acceleration.

Now the Transportation Department has called in leading scientists to help get to the bottom of the problem. The National Academy of Sciences and NASA have been asked to look into it. Other specialists in electromagnetic interference are being consulted. And the department's inspector general will review NHTSA's earlier -- and inconclusive -- investigations of the issue.

Meanwhile, Toyota still has a lot of explaining of its own to do. According to documents recently obtained by The New York Times from federal investigators, Toyota Canada issued a recall on Oct. 7, 2009, for cars with incompatible floor mats and sticking accelerator pedals. But Toyota waited until Jan. 28, 2010 to issue the same recall in the U.S. despite months of pressure from federal regulators.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, charging Toyota with "knowingly" hiding "a dangerous defect" from American consumers and regulators, has fined it the legal maximum of $16.4 million.

FULL story at link.

[madokie]

1. You couldn't run fast enough to give me one of them things

I don't even want a picture of a toyota on the place.

[Dover]

2. Why is it that almost every time there is a negative story about Toyota posted at DU

your name is attached to it? Are you affiliated with one of the American car companies?
You just seem to relish crowing about Toyota's problems. Is it so unusual for a company
who is innovative and working on the cutting edge to run into some snags? And have American companies been more forthcoming with their mechanical or other problems in the past?
I'm not condoning or excusing Toyota, but truly hate hypocrisy and poor sportsmanship.

Jay Leno did a joke the other night, talking about the 'new report' saying how well American
car companies are doing now. His response to the story was basically what many are thinking -
to paraphrase:
'...well duh! Toyota, their nemisis and among their greatest competitors has been sidelined.'
And while it focuses on its problems of course the American companies will have a day in the sun'.

Instead of focusing on bashing Toyota when its down (sour grapes), Amreican companies should just focus on producing cars the public actually WANTS. They act like good fuel efficiency is some new rocket science.

[Omaha Steve]

3. The truth hurts maybe?

No I don't work for a car company. But I did post about the working conditions of an Alabama car plant yesterday in GD. You might check that post out. It wasn't a Toyota plant btw.

[Omaha Steve]

4. I should have taken my time on my previous reply

I should have said Americans also want cars that are safe. OK. Maybe not. Toyota sales are down around the globe, except in the US where some 0% financing etc. have done wonders. Again that is only in good old USA where the problems don't seem to both us like drivers in other countries. Toyota has a problem with it's cutting edge technology it doesn't yet understand. Or else it hasn't told the truth, since cars fixed after the recall are still having problems.

[Dover]

5. Sure American car companies would like to exploit the fear factor

not only to destroy Toyota's reputation for both saftey AND innovation, but
also so that they can focus on safety features rather than fuel efficiency in their new models.
"Look at us! We may stink at fuel efficieny but we're safe!"

I think it's clear that there is a concerted effort by the car companies, media, government, to
sideline Toyota....to turn their stumble into a fall. And what timing - just as American companies are trying to find a market for their own Toyota clones, which people are skeptical of given their history with those companies. American companies must envy the loyalty Toyota has built. As I said, I'm not dismissing Toyota's problems and issues, but American companies remind me a lot of Wylie Coyote, with a more sinister undercurrent.

When was the last time American cars out performed a whole array of foreign vehicles for any number
of things...fuel efficiency, safety, durability, overall handling and performance, looks, etc.?
Of course they want to get these competitors off the road...they have an inferiority complex that is
well deserved.