Posted on 02/09/2011 11:43:32 AM PST by jazusamo
One year after federal prosecutors opened a criminal investigation in to Toyota's unintended acceleration safety issues, a ten month investigation came to the conclusion that there were no electronic flaws that led to accidents involving Toyota vehicles. The causes were attributed to driver error and sticky accelerator pedals and floor mats. These were the exact causes that Toyota pointed to when congressional leaders decided to attack the automaker at a time when General Motors was struggling to regain sales after exiting its bankruptcy.
The SEC subpoenaed documents from Toyota back in February of 2010 when the criminal investigation began. Members of Congress piled on to the assault with Rep. Henry Waxman (D-California) sending a letter to Toyota and the Department of Transportation that stated, "First, the documents appear to show that Toyota consistently dismissed the possibility that electronic failures could be responsible for incidents of sudden unintended acceleration. Second, the one report that Toyota has produced that purports to test and analyze potential electronic causes of sudden unintended acceleration was initiated just two months ago and appears to have serious flaws. Third, Toyota's public statements about the adequacy of its recent recalls appear to be misleading." Political theater ensued during congressional hearings with representatives lambasting Toyota's chief executive, Akio Toyoda. A humbled Mr. Toyoda apologized for any perceived wrongdoing by Toyota. Perhaps now that the US government's investigation exonerates Toyota, it is Mr. Toyoda that deserves an apology. The question of whether any of the damaging accusations against Toyota had an ulterior motive of benefiting General Motors also should not be ignored.
The damage caused by accusations suggesting Toyota was guilty of covering up major safety shortcomings is measurable. Of the top ten selling automakers in the US market, Toyota had the worst performance in 2010 with annual sales growth of 0%. This compares to an industry average of 11% growth. The next poorest performer in the top ten was General Motors with 7% growth. It is indisputable that the accusations levied by the US government severely damaged Toyota's reputation. Is it just coincidental that certain members of our government that have such a vested interest in seeing GM succeed led a campaign that had such a negative impact on the largest foreign, non-unionized competitor to GM?
Regardless of whether or not ulterior motives played a part in the Toyota witch hunt, this is just another example of the conflicts that arise when our government becomes so intrusive in to the private sector. Will the SEC and Department of Transportation show favoritism to a politically powerful General Motors? The only way to be assured that such conflicts will not arise is to have our government exit the private sector and not repeat the unprecedented intrusion ever again. The market value of GM may go up or it could come down. It is not the job of the Treasury Department to market-time taxpayer investment by deciding when is the best time to exit the bailed out auto sector. Treasury should sell its stake in GM, Chrysler and Ally Financial as soon as possible and put the unseemly political process behind us.
Does a woodchuck chuck wood?
Yup. Our socialist government, under Premier Obama, sought to rig the market for better sales for Government Motors.
Blatant fraud, as simple as that.
Was GM/UAW Behind Toyota Bashing?
That would be affirmative
ML/NJ
I’d still have my ‘05 Corolla but my son totaled it. I paid $14,450 for it new in ‘05. 6 years and 100,000 miles later, I still got a little over $9,000 for it from my insurance company.
I was a little surprised at that but I’d always heard that 100,000 miles on a Toyota is like 25,000 on a G.M. product.
You heard wrong. The Japs have one problem with building cars that has plagued them for decades. They don't know how to make rubber. At about 100,000 miles on a Toyota, the seals all start to get brittle and leak. Most people in these cars think they are trouble free and never check the dipstick. By the time the idiot light comes on it is too late. I know of at least 4 ten year old Camry's and Corollas that needed new engines because of this. Rust is their other Achilles heel.
Wish they’d go after Land Rover. I’d sell it, but who would buy a car that costs them more in repairs than the bluebook value?
I made the mistake of falling in love with the looks of the LR. Plus when it does work it’s a badass that can knock down a brick wall and drive through a lake. Unfortunately it will be in the repair shop when these opportunities come up. Oh, and don’t forget to take out a second mortgage to replace the door locks.
I've owned G.M. products and Toyota products over tyhe past 50 years, so I don't have to depend on what "I've heard" Toyota is head and shoulders above anything G.M. puts out. As far as people not bothering to check their dip sticks, that'sa a people problem, not a car problem.
At about 100,000 miles on a Toyota, the seals all start to get brittle and leak.
Mine didn't. Maybe I'm an exception huh?
Buy what you want to buy and so will I. I have extensive experience with both companies and I will stick with Toyota.
“At about 100,000 miles on a Toyota, the seals all start to get brittle and leak.”
I’ve had a couple of Jap cars do that. But then again I check the oil EVERY time I put gas in, and have trained my kids to do the same. So when it happened, I just saw the level go down...added some oil, and got another 150,000 miles (and counting). Not too hard to deal with, if you’re proactive.
...unlike a union car simply cracking a head, for example (as I’ve had to also deal with).
I’ve had one Toyota and one Honda. My best luck is with Chevy pickups.
Wow, our 235K mile ‘93 Corolla must be an exception. Doesn’t drip a drop, and consumes less than a qt before a 5K oil change. Also gets 35+ MPG regardless if you drive 70 or 90. As for repairs, beside the brakes, tires, shocks and an occasional bulb, it needed an exhaust manifold once.
As for rust, we have lived in Los Angeles and now Arizona, so we have no rust.
I’m sure they exist somewhere, but I myself have NEVER seen a US manufactured car come close to that.
I do perform routine oil and filter changes per manual.
I guess it is all relative. Your vehicle has never had the misery of a winter soaking in salt. Here in the NE all the Japanese stuff rusted away so fast that you do not see one that is over 15-20 years old. Volkswagan Rabbits also are non-existant. They rusted faster. Jap cars do have a rubber problem. I have talked to many people about it.
As for mileage I own a couple high mileage vehicles on their original engines. 1990 Fleetwood Brgm with a 350 has almost 300,000. 1988 Grand Wagoneer with a 360 I had that hit 280,000 before it was sold and is still running. 1998 Town Car with has over 150000 on original motor. All these vehicle get riden’ hard and put away wet. I am a car collector so I see a lot of cars and pretty generally GM and Ford V8 are really durable and cheap to fix.
I did have a 88 4 Runner with almost 300000 on the clock and it ran on the original engine fine. The rest of it was falling apart due to rust. I just bought it to turn quick so that didn’t matter.
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