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Carguide Blog

Give Toyota a Break in the Recalls?

akio toyoda 1 Give Toyota a Break in the Recalls?

Should we give Toyota a break? If you have been following the Toyota recall news, it seems that Toyota is taking full responsibility for such errors in its manufacturing process. Rather than blaming the the errors to another manufacturing company, if you remember, the Ford and Firestone fiasco. Instead, Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda spoke at a press conference  in Nagoya and expressed his deep regret for the inconvenience and concern caused to the customers.  He also announced that he personally will take the lead toward improving quality around the world by establishing a global quality task force that will conduct quality improvement activities region by region.

The recalls of the brake problem on the Prius and sticky gas petal on certain Toyota vehicles cost about 2 billion dollars, and that may include 2 million dollars in fine by the U.S. government for failure to act in timely manner (up for debate). I believe of instead of pocketing that fine, it should be used to repair the recall problems.

In these tough economic times, we should think nationally and be concerned the welfare of our nation; I am talking about job loss. No doubt that there will be reduction in the work force to recover the 2 billion dollars financed for the recalls, and that Toyota currently cannot sell a lot of its vehicles due to the recall problems. I mean, lets not put gasoline to fire, lets help extinguish this flame. Below is the strategic action plan of what Toyota promises to do in the future by the Committee, which is headed by Mr. Toyoda.

1) Improve Quality Inspection Process – Toyota will once again inspect every process, while verifying the causes that led to the recalls, including quality in design, production, sales and service.
2) Enhance Customer Research – Toyota will enhance the customer information research offices in each region to collect information faster.
3) Establish an “Automotive Center of Quality Excellence” in key regions to further develop quality management professionals
4) Support from Outside Experts – Toyota will seek confirmation and evaluation from outside experts—in line with the industry’s best practices—of its newly improved quality control management, based on the above improvements.
5) Increased Communication – In addition, Toyota will work to increase the frequency of communication with regional authorities.
6) Improve regional autonomy - To provide customers with satisfying products in each and every region, Toyota has long promoted the autonomy of its regional subsidiaries.

Will this action plan be enough to alleviate the problems at hand, and how can Toyota ensure its customers that this action plan will be carried out and not be pigeon-holed once the flame has subsided? Please express your opinion in the comment section below.

Detailed information and answers to questions about issues related to recalls are available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall and at the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

Posted by Vincent Van On February - 6 - 2010
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  • http://carguideblog.com Vincent Van

    Richard,

    This article is not intended to be biased in anyways, it just shows the author’s opinion. That is why it has a question mark in the title to ask opinion of readers like you. Your comment is well put, it makes me look at the Toyota recalls in another perspective.

  • Richard

    I seriously hope this article isn’t serious. Give Toyota a break?? Are you kidding?? Millions of Americans are negatively impacted by these recalls, which are a DIRECT result of Toyota’s lack of quality and safety. Not only are these recalls a huge inconveinence to millions of people, but people have been KILLED. Sticking accelerator pedals and faulty brakes aren’t like broken cupholders, they are extreemly dangerous. Not only is a recall necessary, but Toyota should be fined much more than $2 million by the US government.

    And as for the idea of using the fines to fix vehicles, that is complete nonsense. Why should the US government pay to fix mistakes that are 100% Toyota’s fault?? If anything, the money should be used to help the US auto industry and as incentives to get people out of these dangerous cars and into a new American vehicles, which helps the economy.

    For years Toyota has lied to consumers, pretending that quality was #1. They used this idea to promote and sell millions of their otherwise boring, unattractive, and overpriced cars. And now the truth comes out, and you feel sorry for them?? Please, you are the definition of un-American.

    Please stop posting biased columns such as this and do some research about our economy, what Toyota represents, and why this entire recall issue is totally inexcusible before you pick up the keyboard again.

Saturday, February 11, 2012