WASHINGTON – Under blistering criticism, Toyota President Akio Toyoda personally and repeatedly apologized to Congress and millions of anxious American car-owners Wednesday for deadly defects in popular models produced by his Japanese company. But angry lawmakers forcefully declared it was hardly enough.
“Where is the remorse?” scolded Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio. And Republican John Mica of Florida held aloft what he called an “absolutely appalling” Toyota report bragging of defusing a safety investigation.
Who the hell do the pompous, self righteous dumb ass politicians think they are to criticize an apology when their own repugnant, partisan political incompetence can not find solutions to the problems they were elected to solve and have failed miserably. And do they apologize to the citizens for their failures and short coming? No. This is just another tactic to shift their own lack of creditability towards some one else so maybe the citizens will forget how Barnyard DC operates… Maybe these elected idiots should take a course in “How not to shift blame and take responsibility for their own obtuseness.” Come on, let’s get back to the real issues……
Toyota is grovelling to Congress, and other car manufacturers are missing out on a big opportunity.
Google and Google News searches for Toyota predictably bring up plenty of ads. On my screen, I see ads for Toyota itself, plus a few places where I can buy a Toyota, like CarMax. The only other auto maker with an ad is Mazda.
Toyota has been in the news for weeks, which has led to a spike in search traffic. Among these searchers are, likely, consumers curious about buying a new car, parents worried about their current, and other groups ripe to hear why they should look to trade in their Toyota for a Honda, Chevy, or Ford. The nature of search ads would allow these competitors to send internet users directly to a page about safety, or to a Turn-in-your-Toyota program page.
As a part owner of GM by way of my American citizenship, I’d like someone to look into why we aren’t trying to sell more cars this way.
Being a love of anything with an FR chassis layout i can’t help but be really bloody excited at the prospect of this car being even half decent. For those who have been living inside a “lost-esq” type hatch for the last few months, the Toyota FT86 is the spiritual successor to the venerable AE86 Hachiroku and the concept car seen below has been developed jointly by the new Subaru/Toyota partnership.
The rumoured plans were for Subaru and Toyota to develop their own versions of this car based around the same collaborated floor pan. Rumblings from Subaru suggest they are producing a basic model powered by a version of the EJ20 engine (probably from current JDM Impreza) which should produce around 150hp. This will be linked up to a six-speed Aisin gearbox and a rear axle currently used in the Lexus IS250. The good news is that there have been reports of a 200hp + STI version in the works that’ll be EJ25 powered and have a number of rear suspension upgrades, including a wider rear track. We can also speculate that there will be typical prodrive styling cues (wider arch package etc) I have heard on the grapevine from our lads here, that this may very well be a 4WD setup – but it’s completely unsubstantiated at this time.
Expect to have a full reveal at TAS 2011.
Subaru Coupe Concept Rendering
To date, Toyota have been much more forthcoming with their plans for the car. The concept FT86 has been knocking around for a while and confirmed reports from Toyota state that it’ll have the Subaru EJ series engines and the six-speed Aisin transmission. The suspension setup will be conventional with a multilink rear and front wishbone arrangement in addition to a “proper” LSD (however i wouldn’t get your hopes up for a factory 2way chaps) Weight wise it’ll be circa 1250kg kerb weight and the entry model will “weight in” at around £20,000 otr.
FT86 concept
TAS 2010 in January saw Toyota preview the FT86-G Sports to demonstrate the “more aggressive” version of the car they are working on. It’s apparently running a turbocharged EJ series engine pushing circa 350 ponies. It’s also got a twin exhaust (although i imagine it’s just a tip) and a 30mm drop in ride height.
Personally im not at all sold on the bodywork. It looks like somebody has let my buddy mitto drive it through a rice factory.
FT86 G Sports
FT86 G Sport
FT86 G Sport
However… (and there is always a “however” with these things) recent reports from the Japanese motoring press suggest that the exterior styling (originally designed by ED2 Studio in France) may have been scrapped “completely” in favor of a new design by Calty.
Is this what we are going to get?
I must say i prefer the original design…
I’ll leave you with this video produced by the Autocar.co.uk team and let good old Steve Sutcliffe show you round the concept.
You are here: Home / Car News / Toyota Corolla steering complaints under investigation USAToyota Corolla steering complaints under investigation USA
February 18, 2010 by Alborz Fallah
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*Update* Toyota Motor Corporation – Japan has advised the electric power-steering system used in Corolla models sold in Australia is different from that used for models sold in the United States.
In another twist in the Toyota recall saga the US highway safety officials are rumoured to begin a formal investigation into complaints about the Toyota Corolla’s steering.
According to an anonymous source inside the agency, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will concentrate its efforts on 2009 and 2010 model year Corollas.
The problem may result in Toyota recalling the Corolla with the automaker’s quality chief, Shinichi Sasaki, stating earlier today that Toyota may consider a Corolla recall.
According to Automotive News U.S.A, the Toyota Corolla has had 83 power-steering complaints filed against it since April 2008. More than three quarters of the complaints say that the vehicle unexpectedly veers to the left or right at 40 miles (64km) an hour and up. They further suggest that after attempting to straighten the car, it may overcorrect. There have been no cases of the issue reported to Toyota Australia.
As the new models make use of an electric power steering system, the problem may simply be due to a change in steering response compared with the older Corollas which used a hydraulic power steering system.
Such an investigation by U.S authorities is normal procedure when complaints are lodged and a process which happens to all manufacturers, nonetheless the timing couldn’t be worst for Toyota amid an escalating recall crisis.
The recall issues have become a nightmare for the Big T as the Americans make the automaker the focus of congressional hearings next week.
The Toyota Corolla is the best selling car in the world, having built its reputation on reliability.
Today, 3 mea culpas will go head to head to head for the right to be crowned “Apologist Of The Year!” But first, let’s meet our apologists!
Akio ”Crash” Toyoda – Toyota Motors chief executive. Besieged by bad brakes, he’s no longer “Mr. Reliable” but keeps moving forward - can anyone stop Toyoda?
Mark “Hasta Luego” Rogers - owner of Legends Restaurant. His wild gyrations can throw off opponents, yet he can be taken out of his game when things get hairy.
Tiger “bad lie” Woods - Golf pro. Ongoing hospitalization for chronic skankitis has limited his ability to swing.
And there’s the sound of weeping, signaling the start of play!
Toyoda: “I offer my apologies for the worries.”
Mark: “I shouldn’t have lost my temper and I’m sorry.”
Tiger: “I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior.”
Tiger comes out strong and sets the pace although Mark’s opening is also solid. But Toyoda misfires – we’re talking about cars killing people and he sounds like he forgot to call his parents after Prom! Although it could have been a bad translation!
Toyota: “We have caused lots of concern and worry and we are sorry.”
Mark: “Usually Mondays are really slow.”
Tiger: “I have a lot to atone for.”
Toyoda comes back with a nice flurry! Tiger brings it strong, especially with “atone” and it’s religious connotation. But Mark goes to the lame excuse early - it’s the restaurant business in 2010, Mark, EVERY day is slow!
Toyoda: “This kind of procedure is good for customers.”
Troy: “I want to extend my sincere apologies to all the teachers out there.”
Tiger: “I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did was not acceptable.”
And we have our first substitution! In for Mark is Troy Lebeck, Director of Restaurant Operations for Legends, with a nice recovery! Toyoda whifs again by appearing to claim that a recall is good for their customers – like a philandering spouse telling his wife that an AIDS test would be good for their marriage! Speaking of which, Tiger has opened up a huge lead with the strongest statement of the Smackdown!
Toyoda: “As a company, our intention is to sincerely give 100% cooperation.”
Troy: “Legends has donated thousands of dollars to area schools, from simple fundraisers to feeding the football teams, to after prom parties, to little league sponsorships.”
Tiger: “From the learning center students in southern California to the Earl Woods scholars in Washington D.C., millions of kids have changed their lives and I am dedicated to making sure that continues.”
Down goes Tiger! Down goes Tiger! And he takes Troy with him! As both men stumble to the canvas with a “look at all the good I’ve done” thud! But can Toyoda take advantage of the opening? No! Cooperation only came after enough Camry owners crashed, burned and popped like kernels and the Feds threatened to jump in!
Toyoda: ”We want to make our best effort to deal with this matter for our customers’ security and safety.”
Mark: “I was overwhelmed in the back and had no idea what situation was going on out there.”
Tiger: “Parents use to point to me as a role model for their kids. I owe all those families a special apology. I want to say to them that I am truly sorry. It’s hard to admit that I need help, but I do.”
A nice bounce-back by Toyoda! Mark’s back in for Troy, and still rolling out excuses! You’re the owner, Mark – stick your head out and make sure the place isn’t on fire! And speaking of being on fire, there’s Tiger, back with his A game – an unprecedented admission of vulnerability!
Toyoda: “We are committed to putting the customer first – it’s our priority.”
Troy: “I hope you can find the compassion in your hearts to forgive him. Again, my sincere apologies.”
Tiger: ”Finally there are many people in this room and there are many people at home who believed in me. Today I want to ask for your help. I ask you to find room in your heart to one day believe in me again. Thank you.”
Troy’s back in and he and Toyoda both finish strong, but it’s too little too late! As Tiger slams the door on his opponents with a lyrical reference to Kenny Rogers’ “She Believes In Me” and takes Apology Smackdown 2010 to notch his first win of the year!
“The best apology is the one that never has to be used.” - Annoymous
Jonnie Wright is a marketing consultant and customer service trainer in Des Moines, Iowa. Email him at jonniewright@thebuyosphere.com.
Akio Toyoda said Thursday he will testify at a U.S. congressional hearing next week. (Itsuo Inouye/Associated Press)
Toyota president Akio Toyoda said Thursday he will testify at a U.S. congressional hearing next week on the automaker’s recalls.
Toyoda said in a statement he looks “forward to speaking directly with Congress and the American people.”
Toyoda is the grandson of the Japanese automaker’s founder. He had earlier said he wasn’t planning to attend the hearings but would consider appearing before Congress if invited.
Toyoda’s comments followed an invitation issued earlier in the day by the chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives committee investigating Toyota’s massive recalls.
Edolphus Towns, chairman of the House oversight and government reform committee, wrote Toyoda saying the CEO should testify at a hearing next week, citing questions from American motorists on “whether it is safe to drive their cars.”
Towns said that the committee wanted Toyoda to “clarify” how the car manufacturer is addressing a widening recall crisis. The controversy over safety issues has burgeoned over the past four months with the recall of roughly 8.5 million vehicles.
“The public is unsure as to what exactly the problem is, whether it is safe to drive their cars, or what they should do about it,” Towns wrote in a letter to Toyoda, in the wake of safety questions involving gas pedals, floor sets and brakes on various Toyota products.
Reports of deaths in the U.S. connected to sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles have surged in recent weeks, with the toll of deaths allegedly attributed to the problem reaching 34 since 2000, according to new consumer data gathered by the U.S. government.
In Japan and in the United States, Toyota Motor Corp. has been criticized for being too slow to respond to the recall crisis and the company’s top executive has been accused of being largely invisible as the recalls escalated.
But he has held three news conferences in recent weeks, apologized repeatedly for the recalls and promised reforms.
Toyota has said it will create an outside review of company operations, do a better job of responding to customer complaints and improve communication with federal officials.
Toyoda has said he plans to travel to the U.S. soon to meet with workers and dealers but the company has not yet released his schedule.
You are here: Home / Car News / Toyota devising guidelines for transparent disclosureToyota devising guidelines for transparent disclosure
February 18, 2010 by Alborz Fallah
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Although the effects of Toyota’s recent problems were not fully felt by Toyota Australia, globally the Japanese giant is fighting hard to rein in a global quality crisis. Part of the shift in Toyota’s attitude will be a new approach to transparency with vehicle issues.
The company is reported to be devising new guidelines for disclosing issues with its models in order to increase transparency. This will address criticism that the company is slow in reacting to problems.
Toyota might soon disclose vehicle problems that it legally isn’t obligated to report such as those that fall below the recall threshold.
The issue with transparency arose due to the recent Prius recall. According to sources Toyota had began receiving complaints about the car’s brakes late last year and had already fixed the software for Prius cars coming off the assembly line but it didn’t notify customers who had already bought a third generation Prius. The reason? The braking system still fell within legal guidelines.
That all changed with the story came to light and caused a public outcry, which resulted in Toyota recalling cars already sold to update them with the upgraded ABS software.
The company’s President Akio Toyoda has already apologized for the safety problems of his company’s cars and is rumoured to be visiting the United States in early March to meet employees and dealers in the wake of the recall crisis.
There is also a possibility that Mr Toyoda will testify before Congressional hearings probing Toyota’s safety recalls and issues regarding the unintended acceleration in its cars.
The Toyota recall saga has been given an enormous amount of media attention despite other manufacturers having suffered similar recall numbers on the past. This may be due to Toyota’s incredible reliability record to date.
Regardless of the outcome of the Toyota recall saga, the news is good for all as Toyota will no doubt work tirelessly to win back customers and increase quality measures in the future.
*Note* – The only Toyota recall affecting Australian customers is for the Prius. Accelerator pedals used in Australian delivered Toyotas do not have any issues.
