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Japanese ask: Is U.S. backlash on Toyota a ploy to boost American auto producers?

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“I think the Americans are going overboard,” said Hiroyuki Komiya, 40, a Tokyo restaurant employee. “Maybe it’s Japan-bashing because the trouble at Toyota, which has the world’s No. 1 share, is a big opportunity for its American rivals.”

Really? Maybe this fool forgets the 30 years of American car-bashing done by AMERICANS that made Toyota and Honda (and other Japanese makes) number one in AMERICA. Americans love Japanese-made cars and the rejection of their own American-made cars helped in the recent bankruptcy of GM and Chrysler. Toyota made a HUGE and deadly mistake in dragging its feet on safety recalls, and now they a PR disaster of their own making. So, Hiroyuki, you just go back to washing the nabe pots and o-hashi, OK?

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It's exactly the same to what happened to Schindler in Japan. One accident caused by poor maintenance by some Japanese company caused Schindler's name to be in bad media for weeks afterward. Amaizingly how did the Japanese not felt wrong about that...but now feel bad about the Toyota's name next to bad press.,,

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The Japanese government has been investigating Toyota over these same issues. Second, these issues have been around for years and Toyota even knew about two of them, having fixed them in new production cars but not telling anyone about it until now. Lastly, the US forced Ford to do a far more massive recall years back over safety issues.

Personally I think the government is overreacting, but Toyota HQ has on the other hand been resisting acknowledging and fixing these issue for years. But to the extent this is an issue about Japan, that's a small factor compared to the fact that this is about multiple multiple problems that have been purposely ignored and covered up.

Honda is issuing a safety recall, but you don't see the government getting in their face over it. That's because they recalled within a reasonable time frame after they found out about the problem, rather than covered it up.

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“Toyota is so big and famous, so it’s an easy target,” said Masahiro Yasunaga, a 24-year-old tech company employee. “Its brand image has been hurt, but the media reports are too much.”

Yeah, you wouldn't expect a company as BIG and FAMOUS as Toyota to do something as STUPID and IRRESPONSIBLE as delaying necessary recalls and dealing with the problem directly before it snowballed into the PR disaster it is.

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“I kind of sympathize with Toyota.”

me too but that is not the solution, emotions running high and asking people to "drive your defective dreams" how is it possible?

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It's not just a US problem, it is global...

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I kinda sympathize with Toyota but they have bungled the customer relations job big time. The press loves a big juicy story especially with death and injury. Toyota was way late in getting the fix designed and getting it out with a good response to the customers.

Of course I'm still wondering how that CA cop managed to crash that car. There are so many ways out of the situation I can't figure out how it happened.

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Good point, the backlash is nowhere near as hysterical as the Japanese reaction over Schindler and countless other events. Pot calling the kettle black here.

And again, I personally think the US government overreacted to some extent. But to say they're targeting Toyota unfairly just ignores the fact that the Japanese government has been investigating Toyota too and the US government had no qualms about forcing Ford to recall in the past.

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Deny, minimize, delay, obfuscate, apologize.

Basically, a PR disaster. I think it's quite evident that manufacturers will have quality issues emerge from time to time; to overcome them, they have to own up and address the problems sincerely and immediately. Toyota, in their hubris, could not believe they were fallible. They were and they blundered --badly.

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I think the "over reaction" has something to do with a whole family dying in a fiery crash after their Lexus flew down the road going over a 100 mph and not being able to stop due to a stuck accelerator.

There's been a large number increase in complaints about faulty accelerators since Toyota switched to a new system for many of their cars in 2003. This recall is not an over reaction but an over due one.

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I think when ever a company becomes so big (and in this case, the biggest), I think it's only natural for some people to want to knock it down a peg or two. Toyota is too big and smart to let this current problem affect them for the long term.

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has something to do with a whole family dying in a fiery crash after their Lexus flew down the road going over a 100 mph and not being able to stop due to a stuck accelerator.

Or dying because dad wasn't smart enough to turn off the ignition key and/or put the transmission in neutral. The brakes and ignition wiring were still working fine. Defective Lexus design, but when does common sense kick in?

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Japanese ask: Is U.S. backlash on Toyota a ploy to boost American auto producers?

You can flog a dead horse all you want but it still won't win against a sick one.

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Or dying because dad wasn't smart enough to turn off the ignition key and/or put the transmission in neutral. The brakes and ignition wiring were still working fine.

Way to shift blame. There isn't a standard for keyless ignition autos. Some have you press 3 seconds, some one, some three presses. When one is barreling down the road, one is not apt to systematically try all permutations hoping one can find the right one in time. That's foolhardy.

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We shall not forget that people might die as a consequence of defective automobile parts. Regardless if it is US or Japanese made. Nationalistics outburst do not move things forward in any aspect.

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Americans everywhere should be insulted and outraged at the headline here and the false presumptions. anyone that has followed this story from the beginning has watched toyota try to dodge and deflect responsibility at every turn. First Toyota accused owners of not knowing how to insert or utilize their advanced floor mat ssytem. Then it was the drivers fault for not knowing how to stop their Toyota when the accelerators became stuck. after that we got some acknowledgement from Toyota that "yes" there is a problem with some accelerators sticking- that is not connected to the floor mats, Oops ! But you need not worry, just review our 5 step process for disengaging the engine. Now we get this trash about the prius. that there's really no problem- it's just the US governments attempt to boost domestic auto company sales. WTF ! Has anybody else noticed that as the story wears on- there is absolutely no mention or reminder of the 19 victims or hundreds of Americans maimed and injured. In fact this story is so weak that they only have one quote from a Japanese- and he's a what ? A dishwasher ? A busboy ? Like this guy has any credibility with this remark-

"I think the Americans are going overboard,” said Hiroyuki Komiya, 40, a Tokyo restaurant employee"

Did anyone bother to remind Hiroyuki of the numerous deaths and injuries ?

The rest of this story pretty much destroys the insinuations presented in the headlines. No where do we see any facts supporting "Is U.S. backlash on Toyota a ploy to boost American auto producers?" and I for one resent the implications. if the Japanese and Toyota think they are getting grilled now- just wait for the US government inquiry to start and then the lawsuits !

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I think the president of toyota should be personally held responsible if something like this ever happens again. To act like InTheKnow responded is the root cause of the problem. It really is "Deny, minimize, delay, obfuscate, apologize" which is wishful thinking as people die. Now it is turning into "blame the victim" or toyota is the victim. Another tactic that may backfire. Humility is the best way forward. Nothing is perfect and we must all be alert to when things start to go wrong.

A reality check is in store for all industry. What does China do to their executives who blatently disregard the safety of the public? Now there is a reality check.

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Way to shift blame. There isn't a standard for keyless ignition autos. Some have you press 3 seconds, some one, some three presses. When one is barreling down the road, one is not apt to systematically try all permutations hoping one can find the right one in time.

Speaking of 'shift'.... What's the 'standard' (your word) for putting the car's transmission in 'N' when the car is 'barreling down the road at 100 mph'? I don't need to think too much in a panic situation like this. House on fire in the middle of the night? Run out of the house! My kid is face down in the pool? Jump in and pull him and out give CPR! Grandpa is choking on a chicken bone? Perform Heimlich maneuver and tell someone, 'Call 911!" Bad Toyota design, poor reaction by driver. Next!

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Some parking lot operators STILL automatically charge "big size vehicle" prices for foreign cars regardless of actual vehicle size. How is that not a soft trade barrier????

Now Toyota has dropped the ball and the Americans are going for the opportunity. Boo-frickity-hoo, Japan.

That is how the game gets played.

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Intheknow- As I mentioned before, in a previous post, I for one feel cheated as I was never taught the Toyota 5 step approach for disengaging an engine for an "unintended" accelerating vehicle. When and where pray tell did you receive such instruction ? I am curious.

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Sorry-the reason I ask is because CPR, the heimlich manuever, and even calling 911 are "learned" actions- not common sense like running away from a fire.

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Sorry-the reason I ask is because CPR, the heimlich manuever, and even calling 911 are "learned" actions- not common sense like running away from a fire.

Like they teach you in any driver's course: if for any reason you cannot stop a moving car (while driving), pull the transmission in 'N'-- also a 'learned' action. It works EVERY time. As I said before, yes, design flaw by Toyota, but use your brain as a driver too.

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Hmm-

"if for any reason you cannot stop a moving car (while driving), pull the transmission in 'N'-- also a 'learned' action. It works EVERY time."

Not according to Toyota engineers who have openly stated that at extremely high Rpm's, like those that occured in the San Diego accident" it might be virtually impossible to "throw" the engine into nuetral, which is why they then suggested turning off the engine completely- which will cause a loss of steering and braking- but hey, sometimes you gotta choose your own poison. In any case "intheknow" it's safe to say I'll be staying clear of swimming pools and chicken bones if you are around !

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7,000,000 vehicles recalled. The most often cited statistic in the news is that there have been 2,000 cases of sudden, unintended acceleration.

That means that this problem has been shown to exist in 0.03% of the Toyotas on the road.

From the media coverage, editorial commentary, comments from US politicians, lawyers, and so on - you'd think that every single Toyota on the road is a death trap.

I don't know if there is a concerted effort to discredit Toyota's image in the USA, but I can certainly understand why someone might think there is.

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People said that the Titanic was unsinkable... They were wrong.

People said JAL was the airline that would never fail... They were wrong.

And people are about to learn the same lesson with Toyota.

Is this U.S. backlash a ploy? No more a ploy than say banning all American beef products because of a few cases of B.S.E. No more a backlash than what the Japanese did when China had some problems with their frozen foods...

The shoe is on the other foot, Japan. How does it feel?

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Automobiles will always have defective parts and problems. The point is Toyota covered it up for years, knowing that the floor mats and faulty reaks will eventually kill some of it's customers. The US is simply putting pressure on Toyota to clean up it's mistakes. Just like the US is trying tocleaned up GM problems.

Buick, Chrysler, GEO, Saturn, maybe Hummer, will never make a come back again. These companies are gone forever.

Again, Japanese people are paranoid, dellusional and very nationalistic thinking about the Toyota cover up.

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"The biggest risk for Toyota lies in how it is handling the crisis. If it were proved that executives had actively tried to cover up the problem, the consequences could be huge. Eighteen months ago the former chairman of truck-maker Mitsubishi was found guilty of professional negligence and received a two-year jail sentence after a truck made by the company crashed because of a defect, killing its driver." http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/feb/07/toyota-veer-off-course

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The brake problem could be damaging like the well known German automaker who had a sticking accelerator problem in the US (1970's?). The problem is pretty straightforward, Toyota needs to evaluate the brake problem to access cause/malfunction. If the problem is not easily found, bring in a third uninvolved party like Mercedes to assess the engineering problem.

Toyota is very insular, so when I helped them dig out of economic collapse, they wouldn't even thank me or reward me. This may apply to the industry, so things happen in isolation. Insularity may explain the slow response to the problem.

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"That means that this problem has been shown to exist in 0.03% of the Toyotas on the road."

You are assuming that Toyota has told you all there is to know, but fortunately the media has been investigating more thoroughly and has turned up much more. This is why Toyota executives have been accused of dragging their feet by not only the Americans but also the Japanese. It is safe to say that if Toyota had been up front with their problems, none of this second guessing would be happening. Toyota's biggest blunder to date was trying to blame owners for the floor mat problem. That led to admissions of sticking accelerator pedals which led to more investigations that turned up known problems with the Prius brake system which led Toyota execs to admit that they have secretly repaired some of those brakes- but not all. There are still 270,000 possibly defective Prius autos on the roads of America and Japan. Now, knowing all this has taken place over the past few months, can you honestly say the US is actively trying to discredit Toyota ? Or is it more likely that Toyota has shot themselves in the foot and still don't have the nads to admit it !

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By and large, some good comments are starting to push forward here. But I think a main point that continues to be ingored is that no-one out there is "thanking" the Americans for getting these potentialy "out of control missiles" off the streets- of both Japan and America ! Maybe if the 19 killed had been Japanese citizens they'd be singing a different tune. Sad.

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Correction:

"to aSSess cause/malfunction."

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Poor Japanese, always the victim, they really are, but their id/ego is the culprit.

Toyota will be sued out of existence.

Their name is mud.

Short Toyota and Japans stock market, the accelerator was stuck, and the lawyers are the brakes.

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The reaction to this recall was overblown. When you look at the statistics we are putting an awful lot of effort on a very small risk. There has been something like 2,000 complaints of unintended acceleration in some 20 million Toyota vehicles. It's almost like trying to find a needle in a haystack. However, it is "unfortunate" that it took the death of an off-duty California state trooper and three members of his family to prompt Toyota to issue a mass recall in September to address the problem. But the congressional investigation was an "overreaction" and noted that the "sticky" pedal problem that caused Toyota to halt production and sales of eight models last month was not linked to any accidents or injuries. This is going to hurt Toyota in the short term over the next year or so, but if their products are as good as they have been in the past, we're going to see that Toyota's going to bounce back as Ford has from the Firestone (tire recall) fiasco.

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I will never buy a Toyota now. They are simply too dangerous, and obviously lacking in effective quality control.

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Oh my. President Obama nationalizes General Motors and conspiracy theories abound on both sides of the Pacific.

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Japanese citizens still largely view the world’s largest automaker with pride—so much so that some people here wonder whether pressure on Toyota in the U.S. is a ploy to boost American auto producers and undermine Japan Inc.

I've heard something similar to this around 1945. Turns out, the 'god' didn't really have any powers. I wonder if the truth will be shown about Toyota too.

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Great posts... I had leverage with my case and point at breakfast court with my Japanese we-are-so perfect dillusional nationalist wife...

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"Is this U.S. backlash a ploy? No more a ploy than say banning all American beef products because of a few cases of B.S.E. No more a backlash than what the Japanese did when China had some problems with their frozen foods...

The shoe is on the other foot, Japan. How does it feel?".

I'd have to agree with this comment entirely. It's similar to the Schindler's lift incident from a few years ago (i.e. boy was killed by a foreign firm's lift and the Japanese went crazy about it). It's quite okay for the Japanese to bash foreign made products, but beware when those same foreigners criticise a Japanese-made product.

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Toyota is really going out of there way to make a new hybrid. Think green people. Hey, if the brakes do not work open the door and use one foot to stop the car. If you have 3 passengers & a four door automobile braking is really good. You can stop on a dime. Just like the " Flintstones ", and when you need to accelerate pedal your feet like a bicycle and off you go. Think of all the fossil fuels you will save. Now, that's a real Hybrid suogi ne !!!!! Eeeee nah !!! Toyota bring back the " Supra " and I'll sweep this under the rug. Please mail it to my apartment. I am currently living in Edogawa haka haka chou street. I want a metallic red wine color off burgandy.

Forget the sport breaks, factory breaks, i want to use human breaking power. i want to be green. I do not want the brakes to work on my car. Who needs breaks nowadays ? Really ? Nobody uses breaks in my city anyways. i know in Saitama they would be happy to have a no brakes edition car.

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Toyota's going to bounce back as Ford has from the Firestone (tire recall) fiasco.

It was called Bridgestone/Firestone, and their gone, the trash was taken out.

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" No breaks " is the future in the auto industry !!! With advanced no break technology we can improve our way of life. Think green people. That would be my sales pitch if I was working for toyota.

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But the congressional investigation was an "overreaction" and noted that the "sticky" pedal problem that caused Toyota to halt production and sales of eight models last month was not linked to any accidents or injuries.

Lets see what the layers have to say about that. Triple lawyers fees are the rule for defective products like Toyota.

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Why does everyone go on about the U.S trying to blacken Toyotas imagew. It is headline news across Europe, even in the UK where there is no large domestic rival. It is a cause for concern. When a successfull comapny hides and doesnt inform buyers of dangers it should be subjected to scrutiny.

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Its all a fabrication from GM insiders.

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"However, it is "unfortunate" that it took the death of an off-duty California state trooper and three members of his family to prompt Toyota to issue a mass recall in September to address the problem."

See how easy it has become to gloss over the numbers. One off duty patrol officer and three family members- what about the other 15 killed ? What about the reported 200+ who sustained serious injury ? These numbers coming from police reports and current lawsuits filed. And, the numbers will increase- especially when Toyota starts to expand their recalls and more victims step forward. But unlike Ford, "Bridgestone/Firestone" will not be around to pay out millions in compensation (nice try sfjp330) for false accusations. Toyota will bear the brunt of this alone, and then they can refocus on the next wave of lawsuits. Those brought on by whistle blowers, patent attorneys, and the US govs anti-dumping lobbyists. I see the state of California is already trying to get Toyotas banned from the docks there. Time to stick a fork in Toyota- they're done !

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I reckon it is... US media's trying to make Toyota bad.

Ford had issues in Australia... a guy nearly died because his car was stuck in cruise control at 100km/h!!! He rang Ford during this drive and said "guys... I'm gonna die! What can I do?" They said "it's not our problem..."

So he called the police. Eventually he flipped the car and was lucky to come out alive. Ford refused to accept that this was an issue (they said it's a car in mass-production and it's okay for 0.5% of cars to have faults as this is relatively low.) This was swept under the carpet, and Ford didn't even do a recall!!

Here we have Toyota with an issue that hasn't even been exposed in the public (TOYOTA IDENTIFIED IT AND DEMANDED A RECALL!!!) Why is the US media slamming them so hard for it?

Because all their car companies are BROKE and Toyota's raking in the clams...

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Despite Toyota’s problems, an ABC News poll taken at the end of January showed that 63% of Americans still rated Toyota favorably. The poll also found that 72% of respondents saw the gas-pedal problem as an isolated incident and the same percentage said it would have no effect on whether they consider buying a new Toyota.

It seems that many Americans do not worry about it or don't care about it. I wonder why they don't change to Ford, GM,..other cars if Toyota is bad quality? The poll does not seem much difference as same as before.

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kwatt; here, geezer, if it dont matter then dont worry about it. The scandals keep coming though and worldwide not just USA (yes there is a world outside of there) are worried about Toyotas safety standards and the fact they appear to have hidden faults.

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Come on, the 4 most common cars in the US are Toyota Camry and Corolla, and Honda Civic and Accord. I believe I'm correct when I say, Fords, Chevys, Dodge, so on, they all have problems no matter what. And you dont see them on the road like you do Toyotas and Hondas. That is for a very good reason.

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Jeez. Paranoid anyone?

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"It seems that many Americans do not worry about it or don't care about it. I wonder why they don't change to Ford, GM,..other cars if Toyota is bad quality?"

They are and they will. Have you seen the latest sales figures ? Chevy is actually running neck and neck with Toyota right now. And Toyota's stock is being dumped with every new revelation of dishonesty. Really sad stuff- for Toyota that is.

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hahahaha funny to see all the proud Americans on here insulting how proud the Japanese are...

Pull your head in guys ;)

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It's not a conspiracy, but I think it's clear the US media's making this out to be a lot worse than it actually is. I've heard similar complaints regarding other car companies, but never heard of recalls... that was Toyota's decision (and they're being criticised?)

I say good on them... and I don't usually back the Japanese!

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"It's not a conspiracy, but I think it's clear the US media's making this out to be a lot worse than it actually is."

For what purpose ? And how would you explain the Japanese medias negative opinion of Toyota as highlighted here, on another thread, at Japantoday ?

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The US car industry is for a large part dead, ask you self the reason why, it is largely related to price/quality ratio and running behind in technique and market strategy. This car industry was for years the backbone of US (not America!)economy by means of heavy industry. To get that industry healthy and at a similar scale it once was is impossible. For that you need a healthy economy and a car hungry market, and we're not even half the way of the economic crisis.

Within a couple of months everybody forgot these news items and the story is further fought out in court. Toyota has a good service history, even the most naive US citizen will understand that it are incidents and not common production problems. Might be that some US priders will use to make Toyota black, but it will not help on a serious scale.

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I would prefer that the Mercedes engineering team look at the accelerator: thumbs down; Toyota eats crap; thumbs up, Toyota fights like heck.

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Branded at 11:09 AM JST - 7th FebruarySee how easy it has become to gloss over the numbers. One off duty patrol officer and three family members- what about the other 15 killed ? What about the reported 200+ who sustained serious injury ?

You talk about the same thing over and over. Don't you get tired of talking in circles to same things that everybody heard over and over again. Think of something new if you know how. What about 15 others killed? Do you have facts and conclusion of each individual accidents indicating Toyota's problem or is still under investigation? Possibly a bad driver judgement error? Point is U.S. has many people who shouldn't be driving. U.S. has the worst bad drivers and they have to blame on the manufacturers. Heck DUI is legal up to .08 in U.S. If you really want to save lives, why don't the govenment outlaw all liquor while driving since this is causing majority of the accidents that resulted in death in the U.S. anyway? Toyota is accused of 19 deaths over how many years? There's annually 35,000 automobile fatalities in U.S. and if you accumulate over 5-7 years, your looking at 200,000 deaths and only 19 is related to Toyota. Sounds about right?

What about GM for 1800 death from Trucks, Ford for Pinto, Bronco II and Explorer for 1300 deaths? What did the govenment do when they try to recall GM trucks? GM Executives were reluctant to recall. Did GM executives do correctly? Hell no. If they recalled earlier, both Ford and GM could've save thousands of people compared to Toyota's accused 19 deaths. Time will tell how wrong this was handled by the govenment.

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Mlammerse- "The US car industry is for a large part dead"

So is the European and Asian.

"ask you self the reason why"

Over production and focus on the US market by Asian auto companys like Toyota. The fact that Americas markets are completely open to all major manufacturers- but the same is not true in ther markets where US auto makers must jump a variety of hurdles and then face an onslought of negative media lies.

"This car industry was for years the backbone of US (not America!)economy"

Nonsense ! The backbone of the American economy has, and will always be- tourism ! Come on over and check it out for yourself. And drive a Ford while you are at it.

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Branded: Branded:

Branded at 11:09 AM JST - 7th February I see the state of California is already trying to get Toyotas banned from the docks there. Time to stick a fork in Toyota- they're done !

If you're so right, from recent poll shows of "72 percent of of Americans who polled and said "isolated incident" "no effect of whether they consider buying a new Toyota" Do you understand English?

"Despite Toyota’s problems, an ABC News poll taken at the end of January showed that 63% of Americans still rated Toyota favorably. The poll also found that 72% of respondents saw the gas-pedal problem as an isolated incident and the same percentage said it would have no effect on whether they consider buying a new Toyota". Where does it say Toyota is banned in docks?

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Well, as everybody knows, no US car manufacturer has EVER had a recall. And now with Toyota, we find 11 cars among millions sold with a problem, so this is really BIG. Did I say that US car manufacturers have NEVER had a recall? Toyota must be brought down!!!

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Where does it say Toyota is banned in docks?

I just don't want to see a 40-car new Toyota pileup at the bottom of the ramp that goes from the transport ship to the dock due to stuck accelerators and faulty brakes.

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Isn't that what capitalism and business is all about. Taking advantage of or exploiting your competitions weakness. No worries thogh. This would not deter me from buying a Toyota. However, I lean more towards Honda. And as soon as I heard of toyotas problems, I purched a large chunk of Honda's stock. Up 10% since. Gotta love capitalism. Obama, you lsiteing. Capitalism, for lack of a better word, is good. :-)

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Speaking of 'shift'.... What's the 'standard' (your word) for putting the car's transmission in 'N' when the car is 'barreling down the road at 100 mph'? I don't need to think too much in a panic situation like this.

So what'll it be you do when you go hurtling down at 120km/h no brakes? Ok, put in in neutral and then what? pull a Flintstones and put your feet out to stop? Good luck with that.

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Branded at 11:49 AM JST - 7th February Over production and focus on the US market by Asian auto companys like Toyota. The fact that Americas markets are completely open to all major manufacturers- but the same is not true in ther markets where US auto makers must jump a variety of hurdles and then face an onslought of negative media lies.

Again, don't you have anything new to say? this is a old news, probably 30 years old argument that does not apply today. You're still in the 1980's. Talk about 2010 ok?

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Believe me, buyers car far more about trade-in value ($) than they do about a delayed recall that didn't directly affect them (i.e. accidents, breakdowns). That is about .5% of said buyers. Toyota will be just fine in no time. Unlike American car companies, Toyota has tens of billions of $ in the bank for their rainy day. American car companies, in contrast, have borrowed tens of billions of $. Next!

It's all about $, which translates to trade-in value to owners.

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Total scam...........America do better.

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Deny, minimize, delay, obfuscate, apologize.

Toyota is indeed guilty of this. This has been standard practice for ALL car makers of veery nationality.I agree that the Media has goneoverboard on Toyota but thanks to that every car manufacturer is now taking possible mechanical defects very seriously, jumping ahead of any still-denying dealers and alerting the owners directly. Toyota is sound enough and enough customer support exists here in the US for that brand to make it through this mess. It will cost some in sales and market share but at the end of the day they will still be there. They've done the consumer a great service in setting a standard for recalls.

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Now Toyota has dropped the ball and the Americans are going for the opportunity. Boo-frickity-hoo, Japan.

That is how the game gets played.

Yep. This isn't a pretend tea party with your imaginary friends, Japan, this is business, and billions of dollars are at stake. When there's a global economic crisis, the gloves come off. Business is war, and all is fair in love and war.

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Total scam...........America do better.

Be sure to say that to the families of the people that have died from the gas pedal problem.

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To Bamboohat:

"When there's a global economic crisis, the gloves come off. Business is war, and all is fair in love and war."

Gee, I guess the US might revive "Smoot-Hawley", which would imply the US has not shown all the cards yet.

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Total hogwash. Toyota gets some bad press and its protectionism? WTF? Have you been reading the newspapers in the US for the last 40 years?!? Nothing but bad about American car companies. Stupid, don't listen, cheap, too many defects, recalls, endlessly telling the urban myth of the guy who found a beer can inside his GM door. Toyota has always had recalls, defects, especially in Japan but because Japan was nationalistic,like China is now, in the 70's-80's when the worst of the defects happened, there were never reported much in Japan. And certainly never even heard at all in the US. American consumers were brought up thinking they were perfect, treated all their workers perfectly, (while many died of karoshi) and gonna save the world with the prius. The Prius has a very very bad ecological record due to its huge battery that must be disposed of. Even tiny batteries are terrible for the environment. Poison. But somehow we only read about good things regarding Toyota. I personally like Toyota but this recall is serious. They have been covering things up for years in Japan. Now its out in the open that Toyota is a regular company. Trying to make money. Squeezing suppliers to the last drop. Not paying overtime. Treating Brazilians terribly. Toyota outsources all its bad stuff to its suppliers like all the Japanese MNC's. So it cant be traced back so easily. Get used to it. Toyota has been covering up defects in Japan since its inception. Now it gets caught with its pants down overseas. No big deal.

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Sfjp330, once again I find myself correcting you- Yes, I posted;

"Branded at 11:49 AM JST - 7th February Over production and focus on the US market by Asian auto companys like Toyota. The fact that Americas markets are completely open to all major manufacturers- but the same is not true in ther markets..."

Your response-

"this is a old news, probably 30 years old argument that does not apply today. You're still in the 1980's. Talk about 2010 ok?"

OK, how about just a few days ago here at Japantoday-

"Japan won't expand list of foreign cars under subsidy program Friday 05th February, 05:13 AM JST"

"TOKYO —Trade minister Masayuki Naoshima said Thursday the Japanese government is not considering any expansion in the list of imported vehicle brands eligible for Japan’s subsidiary program for the purchase of eco-friendly cars, a move that could fuel U.S. anger that Japan is putting up new trade barriers."

"On Wednesday, the trade ministry released the list of 15 imported vehicle brands. The government revised the terms of the program last month to cover imported cars in reaction to calls especially from U.S. and European automakers."

30 years later and we have the same old song and dance !

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So what'll it be you do when you go hurtling down at 120km/h no brakes? Ok, put in in neutral and then what? pull a Flintstones and put your feet out to stop? Good luck with that.

m5c32: I hate to teach on my day off, but if I must... you're confusing the 2010 Prius problem (brakes) with the much larger Camry, Corolla, etc. models' recall (stuck accelerator). Pay attention: the engine keeps running after you put it in neutral. The brakes work normally and will stop the car. You might end up with a blown engine, but that will happen AFTER you come to a full stop from 120 km/h. The 2010 Prius hasn't been recalled yet, although Toyota is examining the issue and is likely to use a software patch to fix the car's electronics. For about one Prius that MIGHT be recalled, about 150,000 other models HAVE BEEN recalled. 15,000:1 ratio. Fact-check before posting, please. Next!

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This lawsuit is a great opportunity to air some of Toyota's dirty laundry. And you are gonna be shocked at how dirty it is.

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"This lawsuit is a great opportunity to air some of Toyota's dirty laundry. And you are gonna be shocked at how dirty it is."

Yes, some will be shocked. You have already mentioned the Karoshi incidents. There is much more including polluting waterways in Japan, unpaid overtime, concealed rollover data, dumping of prius batteries on the US market, and th recent suit against Toyota for using stolen technology from an American engineering firm- yep, this is gonna get messy. And NO Toyota will not recover ! Not even Consumer Reports can save them from their fate.

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No Inthenow "you" Pay attention:

"the engine keeps running after you put it in neutral."

This is the second time I've had to educate you. According to Toyota engineers throwing the car into Nuetral at such high RPM's may be impossible ! That is why they then go on to suggest you might have to kill the engine and take your chances with no brakes or steering. Damn ! And on my day off too !

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BTW people- for the record-

"Toyota... Last month it had 14% of the U.S. market, third behind General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co."

Still chasing GM and Ford... and Chevy has now moved even with Toyota in the US. Yep, the end is near.

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@Branded said, "Americans everywhere should be insulted and outraged at the headline here and the false presumptions. anyone that has followed this story from the beginning has watched toyota try to dodge and deflect responsibility at every turn. First Toyota accused owners of not knowing how to insert or utilize their advanced floor mat ssytem. Then it was the drivers fault for not knowing how to stop their Toyota when the accelerators became stuck. after that we got some acknowledgement from Toyota that "yes" there is a problem with some accelerators sticking- that is not connected to the floor mats, Oops ! But you need not worry, just review our 5 step process for disengaging the engine. Now we get this trash about the prius. that there's really no problem- it's just the US governments attempt to boost domestic auto company sales. WTF ! Has anybody else noticed that as the story wears on- there is absolutely no mention or reminder of the 19 victims or hundreds of Americans maimed and injured. In fact this story is so weak that they only have one quote from a Japanese- and he's a what ? A dishwasher ? A busboy ? Like this guy has any credibility with this remark- "I think the Americans are going overboard,” said Hiroyuki Komiya, 40, a Tokyo restaurant employee"

The employee have a right to his own opinion as much as you do. His comment is right because of the backlash comments made by some Americans and the news media about the Toyota recall. Even some Americans say the same thing as him.

I would like to point out that there is a cultural differences as to how a Japanese company and an American company handle things. For example, look how long it took the Japanese anime industry to show their anime content on the website Crunchyroll. The translation have to go through a lot of red tape before the translation get approved for any minor changes. If there is a lot of red tape for English translation for anime think about the red tapes for Toyota.

Some people are afraid to drive their Toyota cars because of what U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said, “Stop driving it. Take it to a Toyota dealer because they believe they have a fix for it.” He retracted that statement after a few hours saying “What I meant to say or what I thought to say was if you own one of these cars or if you’re in doubt, take it to the dealer and they’re going to fix it.” The damaged was already done to people who have a Toyota car and Toyota. Maybe at this point Toyota should have gone on national TV and did PR. The news media were not going to step in and ask Toyota for an interview as to what Toyota drivers should do. This would have shown the public that Toyota have acknowledged the problem and were fixing it. This would have been the start of re-establishing the consumers trust on the Toyota brand. Maybe Toyota is stressed out about all the litigations on the their hand and not thinking through, or they just don't have the experience of how important PR is.

General Motors and Ford took advantage of the Toyota recall problem by offering $1,000 rebate for Toyota drivers who were looking to trade their car. The American government own GM...

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No it's not a ploy. But it wouldn't be natural if the American car makers didn't try to take advantage of Toyota's self-inflicted mess.

Let's not beat about the bush here, Toyota had plenty of warning about this, and plenty of opportunity to alter things before it got to such an immense scale. The main problem with people's trust of Toyota isn't that they made a mistake over a minor part, causing a major problem. It's that they tried to hush it up, tried to persuade people that it was only a small-scale problem. People hate companies that lie to them far more than companies that admit the problem at the beginning and then fix it. I think it'll take a few years for Toyota to get back it's sales, which is a terrible shame for all the people in various countries around the world making the damned things.

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According to Toyota engineers throwing the car into Nuetral at such high RPM's may be impossible !

Man, that was weak. And wrong. OK, for remedial students...

Lesson Part 1: According to my actual driving experience in my 2006 Toyota Corolla, more than once I accidently bumped my shifter into 'N' when driving down the expressway. Fortunately, it's engineered NOT to go into 'R' or 'Park' no matter how hard you try. 'N', yes. I knew immidately because the engine suddenly revved high. The shifter going into 'N' was due to the the way I sat in my seat and how I positioned my long legs, not a design flaw.

Lesson Part 2: The parking brake works whether the car engine is running or not. You don't have to lock up the wheels to stop the car, although you could. You do have to pull up on it. You can do that, right?

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The disturbing factor with Toyota is that most of their success is built on a customer base who believe in the company like in a cult. If one watches the reports on faithful Toyota customers in US one will hear statements like "they have been our Saviour", "Toyota is my family", etc..

Statistic support this notion as most buyer of US vehicles also looked at Toyota as alternative, whilst NONE of the Toyota buyers evaluated the offers of ANY competitor (that data was before the scandal).

For me, I am again very disappointed that Americans do not put the money where their mouth is. All this "Buy American", "We are proud to be American" ... propaganda is just hot air as the ratio of Japanese vs. American cars bought under the "cash for clunkers" initiative has shown.

The Americans even go so far to do "America Bashing" by themselves. They reason that the US car industry produces simply no good and too expensive cars, that is why they are "forced" to buy foreign makes.

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Gotta love these comments. Yep, the Toyota engineers and a police officer (who are required to do extensive driver's training) are wrong. They don't know what they're talking about....great stuff..

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Oh and really, the great mercantile power Japan accusing someone of protectionism is equally hilarious. Someone should keep a database of all the bizarre protectionist actions Japan has taken over the years, it would be great. I can think of a few just recently: Mad Cow BSE, Schindler, McClaren...

Guys, this is called "level playing field".....

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For JT poster Branded (and other interested parties). This excerpt is from an article on this subject in the Washington Post (I hope that source is credible enough for you, Branded):

Alex., VA: Regarding a stuck accelerator... if that were to happen to me, the right move would be to put the car in Neutral, and apply the brakes and steer to the side of the road and then turn off the ignition.

In the famous case in Calif. where an off-duty CHP and his family were killed by a stuck accelerator, wouldn't that procedure have worked?

Or am I missing something? I've shifted to neutral in a moving vehicle, but never while revving the accelerator. Is this issue more than just carpet position?

Mike Quincy: Yes, the people in California probably would have lived if the driver put the car into neutral. Another piece of advice: don't pump the brakes -- you lose compression. And don't turn off the engine when the car is in "Drive" -- you'll lose your power steering.

URL: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2010/01/28/DI2010012803239.html

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That's actually an interview with a Consumer Reports person, so I wouldn't attach the Post's credibility to it.

Consumer Reports has after all been very on top of the Toyota problem haven't they....lol..

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Intheknow- give it a rest already. Here is Toyota's official position.

"Toyota says applying the brakes will work, but if it doesn't, step two is apply the brakes and shift to neutral.

And finally, if both those options don't work, and Toyota does not recommend this, is to turn your engine off by turning the key or pushing the start/stop button."

Odd- if it was as simple as shifting the car into Nuetral, well, end of story. But it isn't that simple, especially at the high RPM's generated at over 110 miles per hour. Enough said ! Mike Quincy and his lot should be ashamed for bringing thier hindsight expertise opinion to the discussion.

But you will lose significant control of the steering and the brake system.

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so I wouldn't attach the Post's credibility....

ah, 'credibility'. The bottom line is that newspapers and "I'll support the cause if it's good political PR and gets me votes" politicians are getting some milage out of this story at the moment. I'd buy another new Toyota tomorrow. With more than 15,000 parts that move, spin, whir, grind, pulse, heat up, rub, rotate, and do it all under extreme conditions of cold and hot weather, it's surprising more things don't go wrong. Toyota engineers won't learn a lot from American car engineers. Americans and American car companies should know all about recalls-- they've had more of them.

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Well, it seems your position is no good, given what Toyota themselves say about the problem, but hey feel free to obfuscate that. You have that right.

The Americans after all believe in a "level playing field"....

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A car is not aware of the company which made it. A car does not realize where it was made. A car with faulty brakes points its finger at itself. You should never produce a car with faulty brakes then sell it to someone else. Vehicular homicide for profit, now does that make you jealous? No excuses can be made, payment was accepted and ploy or no ploy, "ploy" is not the real concern unless you are revealing your own individual faulty brakes.

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Back in the late '70s, I had a carbureted vehicle which did exactly what appeared to have happened here. A spring popped off the linkage and went to full throttle. I did not panic and merely put the car into neutral as suggested here. I had enough common sense to know that an engine in neutral would continue to rev but NOT APPLY IT'S ENERGY to drive the vehicle. After pulling over on to the shoulder, I popped the hood to discover the linkage was loose. Walking around the car, I finally saw a discarded hair pin which I then used to "repair" the carburetor and drove the few miles to home. I cannot say for sure that the same could have been done and was sad for the recent deaths. It appears some of you are the typical lawsuit hungry types that would always put blame on manufacturers. It was only recently that we heard of a pilot named Sully that had enough skill and brains to save his life and passengers. Too bad I can't say the same for the many other drivers who would easily put blame on Toyota. All I can say is that life is what it is.

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"Back in the late '70s" I was driving a Ford Mustang that I had literally rebuilt the engine in. Good luck trying that with todays computer encased motors. Interesting anecdote but hardly in tune with the times or current problems surrounding Toyota and their unwanted accelerations- OR- brake defects. I mean just that scenerio itself is simply priceless ! Toyota is selling cars that have the possibility of acelerating into high speeds, with no way to stop ! Talk about a one-two combination ! And to think you can still find people right here at Japantoday who are willing to give these junkers a try- probably the same people who still smoke, eat at McDonalds on a daily basis, and text messages while riding their bikes- Yep, a train wreck just waiting to happen.

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As for skipbeat,

"The employee have a right to his own opinion as much as you do."

Sure he does, I never said he didn't. My point is that it is one single opinion that somehow justifies the headline that reads;

"Japanese ask: Is U.S. backlash on Toyota a ploy to boost American..."

I don't think so ! One person is hardly a democracy.

"His comment is right because of the backlash comments made by some Americans and the news media about the Toyota recall."

I disagree. His comment is wrong because he is lumping the whole nation into one with his "the Americans are" nonsense. There are an estimated 310 million Americans in the USA. Many of which- as he goes on to say- disagree with the way the Toyota issue is being handled. How can he make such a racist comment ? One that stereotypes all Americans as Japan-bashing nationalists ? As for your opening, "are you a jerk or what" I hope the editor has sent you a warning explaining that this is a mature forum for adults to share their opinions and ideas. I personaly have never resorted to name calling- I expect the same courtesy in return.

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“Stop driving it. Take it to a Toyota dealer because they believe they have a fix for it.”

This comment is just outrageous. Japanese officials didn't say something like this in the most recent protectionist scandal for foreign goods being sold in Japan.

Oh wait, they did? and the time before? and the time before? Oh, I see....

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Yes, it might be a backlash. I read about a Camry accelerating out of control and slamming into the rear of a Chrysler of all cars. And if that was not enough, this Chrysler slammed into another Chrysler! No, it wasn't racially motivated, since a Nissan car was also taken out. So 1 Toyota took out 3 of the competition. This should be investigated...

Anyway, since I have had quite some close calls riding bikes, I seriously wondered what this highway patrol officer must have gone through. These people are experienced drivers and I am sure he would have tried to cut the engine, try to put it into neutral or step on the brakes. I read this clearly explained article and then it becomes apparent, that nowadays this is not as straightforward as it might seem. I also understand now that that Audi incident was not due to just "stupid" drivers.

Toyota has taken a massive hit to its rep, due to reports of floor mat-related unintended acceleration, and the automaker’s subsequent recall. The headline case: a fatal crash on August 28th. As The LA Times reports, a “runway” Lexus ES350 slammed into another vehicle and embankment, killing California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Saylor, his wife, teenage daughter and brother-in-law. The Times raises an important point: ” . . . a close look at the Lexus ES 350 raises questions about whether the car’s very design may have compromised Saylor’s skills. One obvious line of defense is to simply shut off the engine, a step that may not be intuitive on the ES 350. The car has a push-button start system, activated by the combination of a wireless electronic fob carried by the driver and a button on the dashboard. But once the vehicle is moving, the engine will not shut off unless the button is held down for a full three seconds — a period of time in which Saylor’s car would have traveled 528 feet. A driver may push the button repeatedly, not knowing it requires a three-second hold.”

The Times points out that the ES 350 was a loaner; Officer Saylor’s car may or may not have had a push button start. What’s more . . .

That procedure is explained deep in the owners manual. In a text box labeled “! Caution,” Toyota tells owners, “Do not touch the ‘power’ switch while driving.” But under the warning it adds, “If you have to make an emergency stop, press and hold the ‘power’ switch for more than three seconds.”

So what about shifting out of gear, per Consumer Reports’ advice?

The other common defense tactic advised by experts is to simply shift a runaway vehicle into neutral. But the ES 350 is equipped with an automatic transmission that can mimic manual shifting. And its shift lever on the console has a series of gates and detents that allow a driver to select any of at least four forward gears.

The arrangement of those gear selections could make it difficult to shift from a forward gear directly into neutral in a panic situation, Toyota spokesman Lyons acknowledged.

“I think it’s possible to get the shifter confused, but I can’t be sure that’s what happened” in San Diego, Lyons said. “You’d be surprised how many people around here [Toyota] don’t know what the neutral position is for.”

Don’t know what neutral is for? How about the brakes?

The ES 350 and most other modern vehicles are equipped with power-assisted brakes, which operate by drawing vacuum power from the engine. But when an engine opens to full throttle, the vacuum drops, and after one or two pumps of the brake pedal the power assist feature disappears.

As a result, a driver would have to apply enormous pressure to the brake pedal to stop the car, and if the throttle was wide open might not be able to stop it at all, safety experts say.

When Audi got hit with sudden unintended acceleration accusations, the “step on the brake while engaging gear” requirement was born. One wonders how this Toyota situation is going to play out from a regulation point-of-view. Meanwhile, lawyers. Lots and lots of lawyers. Not because it makes sense, mind you. But because this is how these things always play out.

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Well, the US have the same right to require safety in the cars sold there as Japan has to require safety in the meat sold here.

I don´t know why so many people here applaud when the Japanese government puts safety first but complain when other governments do the same. But maybe, just maybe, Japanese government used safety issues to stop imports of meat such as the US government is using safety issues now to cripple Japanese automakers.

Moderator: Readers, beef is not relevant to this discussion. Stay on topic please.

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Nope: http://japantoday.com/category/business/view/toyota-decides-to-recall-over-170000-prius-cars-in-japan

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"Japanese people still largely view the world's largest automaker with pride"...On what planet or 'jidai' is this guy living??? I live in the Aichi, the home of a boatload of Japanese conglomerates....Toyota is top of the 'hate list'...They absolutely screw any local suppliers ,arrogantly flaunt their bonuses to the rest of us plebs......You get what you give, us in Nagoya ain't doing no weepin' folks

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No ploy -some of these cars need to be fixed and it is the medias (and others) responsibility to get word of a recall out. If you bought your Toyota used and not from a Toyota dealer you may not be on Toyota's list to be notified.

Now is a great time to get a reduced price on a Toyota. -The Prius specifically holds its' price very well. Their loss = your gain.

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Branded at 11:49 AM JST - 7th February Mlammerse- "The US car industry is for a large part dead" So is the European and Asian.

True, especially those companies bought by US companies or part of it, Saab is an excellent example. Volkswagen and several others got hard hits but they are not so bad in relation to the others.

Over production and focus on the US market by Asian auto companys like Toyota. The fact that Americas markets are completely open to all major manufacturers- but the same is not true in ther markets where US auto makers must jump a variety of hurdles and then face an onslought of negative media lies.

The reason that both the US and European markets are open for cars and other products is related to trade. Believe me, it will not be opened if it did not give some good deals for both sides. Besides, companies as Toyota and other makes are nowadays international companies, the number of 'Japanese' cars produced and sold in Europe and US are exceeding those made in Japan and exported. Keep that in mind when you do not want to buy a Toyota because it is not an 'US' car, it probable is, it just has a Toyota label on it.

Nonsense ! The backbone of the American economy has, and will always be- tourism ! Come on over and check it out for yourself. And drive a Ford while you are at it.

I did not write that, read please. The Back bone of the "US heavy industry" (was) the automotive industry, it actually still is but it hardly exists anymore.

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Keep that in mind when you do not want to buy a Toyota because it is not an 'US' car, it probable is, it just has a Toyota label on it.

Keep in mind that, its just the Toyota label, that people don't trust.

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NoriPfan at 05:22 PM JST - 7th February

Back in the late '70s, I had a carbureted vehicle which did exactly what appeared to have happened here. A spring popped off the linkage and went to full throttle. I did not panic and merely put the car into neutral as suggested here. I had enough common sense to know that an engine in neutral would continue to rev but NOT APPLY IT'S ENERGY to drive the vehicle. After pulling over on to the shoulder, I popped the hood to discover the linkage was loose. Walking around the car, I finally saw a discarded hair pin which I then used to "repair" the carburetor and drove the few miles to home. I cannot say for sure that the same could have been done and was sad for the recent deaths. It appears some of you are the typical lawsuit hungry types that would always put blame on manufacturers. It was only recently that we heard of a pilot named Sully that had enough skill and brains to save his life and passengers. Too bad I can't say the same for the many other drivers who would easily put blame on Toyota. All I can say is that life is what it is.

Right on.

Branded at 06:04 PM JST - 7th February

"Back in the late '70s" I was driving a Ford Mustang that I had literally rebuilt the engine in. Good luck trying that with todays computer encased motors. Interesting anecdote but hardly in tune with the times or current problems surrounding Toyota and their unwanted accelerations- OR- brake defects. I mean just that scenerio itself is simply priceless ! Toyota is selling cars that have the possibility of acelerating into high speeds, with no way to stop ! Talk about a one-two combination ! And to think you can still find people right here at Japantoday who are willing to give these junkers a try- probably the same people who still smoke, eat at McDonalds on a daily basis, and text messages while riding their bikes- Yep, a train wreck just waiting to happen.

Hey, I have, and it's not that hard. IF any of these idiots here actually had an inkling of how a car worked (or even a better vocabulary), then they would've known that neutral means neither forward nor reverse.

This gas pedal getting stuck under the floor mat happened to a friend of mine recently, and due to her having hung around car types such as myself, she knew to throw it into neutral, hit the hazards, and pull to the breakdown lane. She realised that it was the mat, and immediately removed it and continued on her way home.

Oh, and I eat fast food on a daily basis, never eating less than 3 burgers at McD per meal myself, 5 times a day, and I eat well into the night, with my last meal before I go to sleep around 4 AM. I smoke a pack a day, drink almost nothing but coffee and espresso, too, yet I have 9.8% body fat and am probably in better health than you.

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M_Lammerse at 10:48 PM JST - 7th February

Keep that in mind when you do not want to buy a Toyota because it is not an 'US' car, it probable is, it just has a Toyota label on it.

Many Americans don't know that Toyota is Japanese. I had a woman in Texas ask a friend of mine if there were cars in Japan.

She was driving a Corolla.

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The title of this article should read:

Japanese ask: Is U.S. backlash on Toyota a ploy to boost American auto producers and a way to stop imports.

This is what is being talked about.

“I think the Americans are going overboard,” said Hiroyuki Komiya, 40, a Tokyo restaurant employee. “Maybe it’s Japan-bashing because the trouble at Toyota, which has the world’s No. 1 share, is a big opportunity for its American rivals.”

This is exactly how beef was looked at by the US when Japan was buying it from Australia and not the US.

I personally haven't heard any Toyota bashing from any of my friends. Toyota is such a popular vehicle that you don't have to look far to find an owner.

But this article is a sort of US bashing in believing that the US would look for an opportunity to rid itself of a foreign vehicle brand, especially a brand that we have leveraged our anti-pollution on. < :-)

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@Branded said, "As for skipbeat, "The employee have a right to his own opinion as much as you do." Sure he does, I never said he didn't. My point is that it is one single opinion that somehow justifies the headline that reads; "Japanese ask: Is U.S. backlash on Toyota a ploy to boost American..." I don't think so ! One person is hardly a democracy. "His comment is right because of the backlash comments made by some Americans and the news media about the Toyota recall." I disagree. His comment is wrong because he is lumping the whole nation into one with his "the Americans are" nonsense. There are an estimated 310 million Americans in the USA. Many of which- as he goes on to say- disagree with the way the Toyota issue is being handled. How can he make such a racist comment ? One that stereotypes all Americans as Japan-bashing nationalists ? As for your opening, "are you a jerk or what" I hope the editor has sent you a warning explaining that this is a mature forum for adults to share their opinions and ideas. I personaly have never resorted to name calling- I expect the same courtesy in return."

Sorry, Branded. No offense intended. I forgot this is an adult forum. I will be more sensitive in the future with my responses.

Regarding your comment on the employee response and the title of this article. Why shouldn't JT or other Japanese news media ask that question? I think it is a relevant question considering people saying Toyota is a foreign company doing business in America. Also, considering Toyota is the biggest auto producer. GM and Chrysler went bankrupt. The American government own GM. For all these past years, a lot of people were buying Toyota cars instead of a domestic car. What about the slogan "Buy American?" I don't have a problem with American cars. I don't own a Toyota. I feel people have been waiting for an opportunity to bash Toyota from reading people comments. It's life that's all. If you read comments posted on Toyota's Youtube page or on the NYTimes website articles about the Toyota recall there is a range of opinion about the Toyota recall from dislike to like. There are comments about people should buy American cars instead of a Toyota. Please justified U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood first comment and response. He said, "stop driving it. Take it to a Toyota dealer because they believe they have a fix for it."

There were no big print or media coverage 24/7 on the Ford cruise control fires recall last October 2009. I would say the majority of people don't know about the recall with the exception of Ford drivers.

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Oh, and I eat fast food on a daily basis, never eating less than 3 burgers at McD per meal myself, 5 times a day, and I eat well into the night, with my last meal before I go to sleep around 4 AM. I smoke a pack a day, drink almost nothing but coffee and espresso, too, yet I have 9.8% body fat and am probably in better health than you.

-You need to see the movie "Supersize Me"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7Tv_mihMBA

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Someone stated that their have been no recalls in Japan. If true why is that??

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“I think the Americans are going overboard,” said Hiroyuki Komiya, 40, a Tokyo restaurant employee. “Maybe it’s Japan-bashing because the trouble at Toyota, which has the world’s No. 1 share, is a big opportunity for its American rivals.”

I hope he doesn't speak for all of Japan, as this is the old "urami complex" rearing its ugly head. 'Toyota is just a hard-working Japanese company and now the foreigners are jealous and attacking it.' Where have I heard that before?

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maybe but who cares. think of all those years that foreign imports werent allowed in japan that allowed them to get this strangle hold on the world market. Why not take this opportunity to get get back a bit of home market advantage.

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If my US sources are correct, come March/April, this issue may not be important as it is now.

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Governments retaliating by trying to limit imports from other countries, is on topic. it doesn't matter if the retaliation is against Toyota or meat imports. This is a comment board where people can air their opinions and should not be subject to censorship.

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Toyota's getting a slap on the wrists by Japanese standards. The mass hysteria over Schindler's elevators is at least ten times overboard what Toyota's getting. Hypocrites.

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skipbeat, I'll try to be brief;

"Regarding your comment on the employee response and the title of this article. Why shouldn't JT or other Japanese news media ask that question?"

Because it's an attempt to focus the problem on other things instead of Toyota- exactly what got Toyota in it's present situation. "Oh it's not the brakes, it must be owner error when using the floor mats" ! Boy did that line blow up in their face.

"Toyota is a foreign company doing business in America."

Really ? A foreign company ? Well, they sure have gone out of their way to try to get you to forget that. They sponsor many of America's most traditional sports, they plaster their names on various events, and they run advertisements saying "You know, the best thing about Toyota is- they're made right here in America" ! No lie, that is their current ad campaign running here in the US.

"GM and Chrysler went bankrupt."

Actually, GM and Chrysler asked the US government for financial assistance during the global economic crisis- as did Toyota ! Imagine that, a foreign company like Toyota asking the US government for a handout ! Try to picture GM asking the Japanese government for millions in low interest loans- ha-ha-ha !

"What about the slogan "Buy American?"

What about it ? At least the suggestion is above board- not like some nations that go out of their way to damage and soil the reputations of foreign business in an effort to prop their own domestic brands, gee, now any of them ?

"There were no big print or media coverage 24/7 on the Ford cruise control fires recall last October 2009. I would say the majority of people don't know about the recall with the exception of Ford drivers."

I would disagree ! That story was plastered all over the media. However, by reading many posts from Toyota supporters, I can tell you the vast number have no idea about Toyotas problems with polluted waterways in Japan, unpaid overtime, sexual harrasment by Japanese nationals at American factories, or any of the current ongoing lawsuits ranging from hidden roll over data to stolen technology for the Prius- One brought by an American company in Florida, the other by a German company. In short, knowing how scandalous, devious, and underhanded Toyota has been over the years- how could you possibly be a customer ?

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i guess it is not a backlash since at last count 437,000 toyotas are being recalled.

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The news just gets worse every day. If this were a foreign company in Japan, they'd be demanding resignations across the board. Oh wait, they've already done that over and over for other companies who did only a fraction of Toyota's wrong.

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Yes. The "crisis" is being over-hyped to the extreme in order to build prejudice against Toyota ... and thus make American domestic automobiles (which surely have MORE flaws) seem more attractive.

One news clip showed a woman literally provoked to tears, whining about how her car MIGHT have a problem and thus how Toyota doesn't care if her child is killed in an accident. Of course, very FEW of the cars have ever actually experienced this problem - the woman and kid are more likely to die from a lightning strike - but you'd never know that from watching the American news media.

Of course American auto-makers are desperate for business, and the US government has gone far into debt just trying to keep them on minimal life support. No wonder there's some impetus to discredit foreign brands. On the other hand though, I have to wonder whether it's an unconscious bias, or whether the US government is physically involved in setting newsroom policy. If they're writing the copy ... bad, bad, BAD !

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"in order to build prejudice against Toyota ... and thus make American domestic automobiles (which surely have MORE flaws) seem more attractive."

Wrong ! Nobody right now has more "flaws" than Toyota. And why on earth would the US government single out Toyota ? There are thousands of tax paying Americans working both directly and indirectly for Toyota. This is a company firmly entrenched in the US auto market- the US gov. has nothing to gain by messing with Toyota or any other auto company.

"No wonder there's some impetus to discredit foreign brands."

OK, so go after Audi, VW, Hyundai, or BMW ! Then, you might have an argument.

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Excellent people work for Toyota right here in America -- hardworking Americans working for a company they believe in and support. Employees and U.S. Toyota customers are no less American because they work for/purchase from a "foreign" company. Many U.S. legislators have Toyota factories, suppliers, corporate headquarters/offices, etc. in their districts. Toyota brings significant revenue into those districts and those legislators would be damaged by targeting Toyota for no other reason than to sell "domestic" vehicles. However, in Washington nothing should be ruled out(have you read about all the pork barrel spending?). It is important to determine the "big picture" but also see all the individual pieces before making sweeping generalizations.

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@Branded, I don't believe we are on the same page and will probably never see eye to eye on Toyota. Toyota will be held accountable and responsible for their recall and defects. I believe Toyota has stepped up to the plate about the recall and the defects. I am not naive about Toyota or any company out there regarding their products and/or services. I am all for a hefty fine on Toyota so that Toyota wouldn't have defects in their cars and learn from their mistakes to be a better car maker as Toyota founder, Kiichiro Toyoda envision. This sentiment is also for all car makers in the world to build cars that are safe to drive and better models to choose from.

Any negative comments is a backlash to Toyota which will cause people to think twice about buying a Toyota car without merits. People will look to other car makers like GM, Ford, Honda, BMW, Hyundai, Chinese cars, Indian cars, or European cars to buy a vehicle. I believe the media has done its part in back-lashing Toyota since the media is not accountable to anyone. Toyota is the Tiger Woods story for the media. I would like the truth about Toyota, but not the Toyota drama driven by the media. I would like to see news stories to have a fair and balance coverage. Stories like that don't sell. The media have always sensationalize their stories for ratings and money. The media wouldn't cover a story if they don't gain anything in return.

Here is an example of media coverage. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/comments_blog/2010/02/caught-in-a-blind-spot-ktla-coverage-of-ford-detoured-into-the-wrong-neighborhood.html

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Here is an example of media coverage. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/comments_blog/2010/02/caught-in-a-blind-spot-ktla-coverage-of-ford-detoured-into-the-wrong-neighborhood.html

Correction, the link to the story is http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-et-onthemedia5-2010feb05,0,7067793,full.column and not the other one.

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Japan recalls http://www.toyota.co.jp/jp/automotive/recall/index.html

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For Toyota models produced in the US there was a mass recall but for models produced in japan there no recalls for the "sticky pedal" Simply because the autoparts supplier who manufactured the pedals is based in Indiana. And the japanese made cars used auto parts produced in japan. The American parts manufactured stated that they built the pedals according to the specifications they received from toyota. But I wonder why the J-cars pedals aren't having the same problems should they have also been made to those same specs.

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And Yes there is a campaign going on right now to undermine Toyota. I believe CBS is leading it. They have used more time to report sensationalized reports regarding the toyota recall and haven't even mentioned the fact that Japanese made Toyota cars were not included in the recall. Those are cars beginning with the vin JT83494... ABCnews i think have been pretty fair with its reporting. And now Dealership commercials are going all out to throw Toyota under the bus so they can sell their Fords, Kia, GMs, and Hyundais =/

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"But I wonder why the J-cars pedals aren't having the same problems should they have also been made to those same specs."

No ! safety and quality standards are much more stringent in the US for the simple reason that speeds are much higher on America's roads and freeways. The Toyota you buy in Japan is no way designed or manufactured to the specifications found in the US. Maybe that is where Toyota failed- thinking that low budget steel and metal might be enough for these brake pedals, only to learn that after 35,000 miles, they start to wear down. You got to ask- who did the stress tests on these pedals anyway !

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You make a good point Shiningfinger.

Also note that the recent Honda recall of airbag inflators made by Takata in U.S.

Also note that 7,300 2010 Camry recalls because of faulty brake hose. Asked if Camrys in Japan will be effected, Toyota replied "The problem parts are exclusive to U.S. made. There are no problems in Japan".

http://www.asahi.com/business/update/0210/TKY201002100148.html

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nigelboy, it is the responsibility of the manufacturers to ensure all parts are safe, they are ultimately responsible.

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nigelboy, it is the responsibility of the manufacturers to ensure all parts are safe, they are ultimately responsible.

Yes stevo. It is also a responsibility of the government to ensure manufacturers are complying to those above standards.

You see. I can draw the line anywhere I want, up or down.

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nigelboy, no the manufacturers have to comply with government regulations. If those regulations aren`t tough enough, then that is another matter.

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nigelboy, no the manufacturers have to comply with government regulations

What specific regulations are you talking about here?

And since you mention "manufacturers", does this include the parts maker themselves? How about the parts manufacturer that makes parts to parts manufacturers? (confused?) Or are you just drawing your own line which is just below Toyota?

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nigelboy,As a producer of the finished product, may it be a Toyota car or a Snickers, the manufacturer is obliged to ensure their product is safe. Obviously Toyota failed or these problems would not have occured. It is the manufacturers fault whatever country they trade or produce their goods in. I don`t think Toyota should suffer a backlash, as they have a good track record.

I would like to see what people would say if this happen to a Korean car in Japan and was recalled, it would all be the Koreans fault.

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Branded at 03:00 AM JST - 12th February. Maybe that is where Toyota failed- thinking that low budget steel and metal might be enough for these brake pedals, only to learn that after 35,000 miles, they start to wear down. You got to ask- who did the stress tests on these pedals anyway !

A joke. Why don't you stay with facts rather then talking in dreams? Facts are there was at least eight investigations into sudden acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the last seven years. But those investigations systematically excluded or dismissed the majority of complaints by owners that their Toyota and Lexus vehicles had suddenly accelerated. Federal officials eliminated broad categories of sudden acceleration complaints, including cases in which drivers said they were unable to stop runaway cars using their brakes, incidents of unintended acceleration lasting more than a few seconds and reports in which owners did not identify the possible causes of the problem. NHTSA officials used the exclusions as part of their rationale to close at least five of the investigations without finding any defect, becausewith fewer incidents to consider, It then halted further investigation, saying it "found no data indicating the existence of a defect trend."

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Branded at 07:41 AM JST - 10th February. Wrong ! Nobody right now has more "flaws" than Toyota.

How do you know? You really don't know much about cars or anything. Average cars contain about 15,000 parts and there are flaws. Every manufacturer has this problem and Toyota is no exception.

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Shiningfinger has a new angle;

"And Yes there is a campaign going on right now to undermine Toyota. I believe CBS is leading it."

Actually it was ABC that broke the story wide open. They have infuriated Toyota execs to the point where Toyota has now stopped advertising with them. Ooh, ahhh- that'll show em !

"They have used more time to report sensationalized reports regarding the toyota recall and haven't even mentioned the fact that Japanese made Toyota cars were not included in the recall."

That's really no surprise. The American mainstream media is simply not as over-infatuated with Japan like the Japanese are with America. It is very uncommon for the US media to spend hours and hours belittling other nations like we often see in Japan. I could give dozens of examples- but I prefer to stay on topic with Toyota for now.

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Sfjp330- Interesting post.

-"Facts are there was at least eight investigations into sudden acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the last seven years."

Obviously there should have been more- at least according to recent discussions by the NHTS admin.

-"NHTSA officials... then halted further investigation, saying it "found no data indicating the existence of a defect trend."

You obviously didn't read the story posted here at Japantoday that discussed "State Farm Insurance" findings back in 2007. Odd, they found enough of a "defect trend" that they alerted the NHTS administration- who then got a recall going. Keep working at it sfjp330, you might stumble across something that sets your mind at ease.

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Questions about the Toyota recall. Because of the sensationalism Toyota recall by the media, the facts are lost in it as to what is the "FACTS."

Did Toyota made the recall base on their own evidence of the "unintended acceleration" or was it the media/NHTSA? What accident lead to the recall for the "unintended acceleration" for the "pedal" recall besides the Lexus fatality if any? Do any of the other auto maker have the same problem, "unintended acceleration," as Toyota? Have any U.S. auto makers stopped production ever in auto industry history when a recall was issued? Did Toyota came out and blame CTS or did Toyota took the responsibility of the "pedal" recall? Did Toyota get a free pass in the past? Is Toyota covering up? How many notifications by customers should be required for a recall? Maybe the auto car makers should buy the cars back that are believe to have the defects to test it and find out the cause. This would be more accurate as to finding the problems for a recall. Did NHTSA failed detecting the "unintended acceleration" in Toyota cars? I would like to believe NHTSA employees are smart people who are competent in their work. Was Toyota slow in recalling the "floor mat" and the "pedal?" What is the recall protocols? Was the media out to get Toyota because of their quality standards? Did the media dramatization the Toyota recall excessively?
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Branded at 09:30 AM JST - 12th February. You obviously didn't read the story posted here at Japantoday that discussed "State Farm Insurance" findings back in 2007. Odd, they found enough of a "defect trend" that they alerted the NHTS administration- who then got a recall going. Keep working at it sfjp330, you might stumble across something that sets your mind at ease.

What credibility does State Farm have? Absolutely none and you believe everything you read. Lawyers are currently investigating State Farm Auto Insurance on behalf of California policyholders who totaled their vehicle. It is believed that State Farm Auto Insurance used illegal methods to calculate customers compensation. Such methods are prohibited by regulations issued by the California Department of Insurance. State Farm? Joke.

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"What credibility does State Farm have?"

Obviously enough to force Toyota into a recall.

Keep working it sfjp330, you are just a few days away from the federal governments hearings and investigation into Toyota- can you even begin to imagine how entertaining that will be ? And then again later in March when Toyoda gets his grilling. I wonder if State Farm will be on hand for the hearings ?

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Toyota could have handled this much much better and in a professional way. This whole thing has been a business ethics & PR disaster. They have to blame themselves for blowing this out-of-proportions.

This is an interesting article for anyone who has the time to read.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748704820904575055733096312238.html

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@Kronos, I agreed.

Toyota failed to understand the ways of doing business in America when it comes to NHTSA. Toyota failed their American customers and the people in the auto industry who respected Toyota.

Toyota will lose customers and people will never trust Toyota again.

I hope Japanese companies learn from the Toyota debacle when it comes to doing business with American companies and American customers on America soil.

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Is U.S. backlash on Toyota a ploy to boost American auto producers?

Yes.

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Why doesn't US ban import of Japanese Cars? Why not? It would surely boost the economy. Or how about freezing it for a while, until the US car companies resolves their problems? Japan stops beef imports from time to time.

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@ Nigelboy I'm still waiting for the U.S. govt to hold their own auto part manufacturers accountable. That has yet to be seen. I guarantee if these pedals were the product of lets say China the U.S. media would be having a field day no matter who ultimately used them. I've seen that too often in the past. And I'm still waiting to see these problems in Japan. Because of the media Toyota cars aren't "safe" aka U.S. made toyota cars. But somehow buying Mexican/Chinese made GMs and Fords are safer. Is this really the image U.S. media want to project. This is sad. I can not even remember any other recalls that received this much attention from the media.

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The recalled Toyota vehicles in the states are being recalled because of a defective part. Not because of some outrageous design/engineering flaws. This is seen in the fact that they have traced the defective part supplier to Indiana. Yet the media companies in the U.S. and maybe Branded made a point are taking turns bashing and implying greater problems than what actually exists. Yet many owners are standing by their cars. I seriously doubt that would be the case for other Car companies.

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Damien15-

"Why doesn't US ban import of Japanese Cars? Why not? It would surely boost the economy. Or how about freezing it for a while, until the US car companies resolves their problems? Japan stops beef imports from time to time."

But why just stop at Japanese cars ? Why not shut down the flow from Korea, Germany, Britain, Italy ? And why not limit foreign production of auto parts from Mexico and Canada as well ? If this were to happen then yes, those posters complaining about the witch hunt, the backlash, would have an argument against market protection in the US. But since this is not the case, stories like this and comments against the American people and government are just a lot of nonsense- bitter responses to a sad fact- that the once mighty Toyota has shot itself in the foot, and is threatening to drag all of Japan Inc. into the gutter with it.

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And people might not realize this but I wouldn't be surprised that future buyers of Toyota, Honda, Mazada, Nissan, Japan Inc etc before purchasing asked for a vehicle on the lot that was made in Japan exclusively parts and all. I doubt people will stop buying Japan Inc ever aside from maybe the baby boomers. In the end the U.S. media might be hurting more American jobs than anything.

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Shiningfinger-

"@ Nigelboy I'm still waiting for the U.S. govt to hold their own auto part manufacturers accountable."

You mean the Japanese owned companies, like Omron, that have been supplying parts and technology to Toyota for years ? Are you sure you understand how Japanese auto manufacturers work ? They surround themselves with Japanese companies utilizing things like robotic technology to manufacture. I hope you don't think the American production line consists of some guy named "Joe" with a wrench in his hand.

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@Branded who obviously still doesn't understand whats going on. No I mean CTS and independent parts supplier who has their HQ in Indiana but is also spread over other states in the U.S.

http://www.ctscorp.com/hr/where.htm

They make parts for not only Toyota but also companies like FORD. And now they are under a fed investigation.

http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=11925663

But somehow this investigation is getting little attention in U.S. media. And Branded you know what? Some cars made buy Nissan actually does consist of a single guy with a wrench in his hand making the engine. Look up how GTR 35s are made.

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4-Shiningfinger-

"No I mean CTS and independent parts supplier..." Gee, Like "Tanaka"- who supplied the faulty airbags for Honda ? You are being overly selective in your criticism. Try rattling off the dozens of Japanese parts suppliers that target and provide for Japanese manufacturers all over the world. Maybe it's time to show them the door- "thanks for playing, but we'd like Joe- with the wrench- to have his job back".

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Gee, Like "Tanaka"- who supplied the faulty airbags for Honda ?

Made in U.S.

Faulty break hose in 2010 Camry. Made in U.S.

Asked if Camrys in Japan will be effected, Toyota replied "The problem parts are exclusive to U.S. made. There are no problems in Japan".

In regards to the accelerator problem would occur for domestic cars with the same type of model, the Vice President of Toyota states,

、「国産車はデンソー<6902.T>製で構造の異なるペダルを採用しているので、生じない」と説明した。

"For domestic models, we use Denso's 6902.T model so there is no problem".

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"Asked if Camrys in Japan will be effected, Toyota replied "The problem parts are exclusive to U.S. made. There are no problems in Japan".

Odd- the Camry was recalled in Both China and Japan !

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Odd- the Camry was recalled in Both China and Japan !

Huh?

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Shiningfingersaid, The recalled Toyota vehicles in the states are being recalled because of a defective part. Not because of some outrageous design/engineering flaws.

I feel it is a design/engineering flaws. Also, a defected part. If the pedal is connected to the software then wouldn't it be a design/engineering flaws along with a defect part. Even if the pedal is replace and the software isn't then how could the car be safer for driving? Let's say it is a defective part then how can the replacement of the pedal be safer than before? The logic isn't there along with common sense. The perfect example would be the Prius recall on the software regarding the brakes. If this can happen to the Prius then it can happen to Toyota's other cars that have software as a component.

The bottom line is that if Toyota do not properly correct the "pedal" recall then Toyota in the near future will have to recall those cars again for a software recall. Toyota credibility will be question again as a quality car maker. Given that Toyota vehicles have software installed as part of new technology in making cars there will be trials and errors because software are not 100% perfect. Software is only as good as the person creating it. In other words, Toyota should be testing their vehicles with the software to see if there are problems with the software before rolling them out on the market. Customers should be educated about the software in their vehicles as how to use them when problems arise. Toyota should have an 800 number for people to get help with their car because of the installed software. In order to make a better product, Toyota would need feedback on their software and car to prevent accidents and make future cars safer to drive.

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Nigelboy- "Huh" ?

Please do try to keep up with the events. From the Tuesday Feb. 9th article about the 437,000 recalls at Toyota-

"The pedal-linked recall, which includes the popular Camry and Corolla models, could ultimately reach about 4.45 million vehicles as it spreads worldwide to Europe, China, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East."

Seems you have to be careful when speaking with Toyota execs- they try to fudge the info at everyturn- Brake hoses ? Try the whole damn brake system !

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Please do try to keep up with the events.

"The pedal-linked recall, which includes the popular Camry and Corolla models, could ultimately reach about 4.45 million vehicles as it spreads worldwide to Europe, China, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East."

Yeah. All "Made in other than Japan". Pleae keep up.

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"Yeah. All "Made in other than Japan". Pleae keep up."

And Denso is not in Japan ? Then why the recall in Japan ? Seems you've bought into the Toyota version of things- which don't mesh with the reality of the recall.

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And Denso is not in Japan ? Then why the recall in Japan ? Seems you've bought into the Toyota version of things- which don't mesh with the reality of the recall

Are you really that slow?

The Toyota models that are being recalled for accelarator problems are "made" in North America of which the accelarator is supplied/"made" by CTS, an Indiana based company.

Asked if domestic (Toyotas in Japan) would have the same problem, Toyota's Vice president stated

、「国産車はデンソー製で構造の異なるペダルを採用しているので、生じない」と説明した。

"For domestic models, we use Denso's 6902.T model so there is no problem".

The recalls in Japan are for Prius with problems in ECU programming for ABS.

Follow me so far?

Now there were additional 7300 recalls for 2010 Camry models. These are again exclusive to U.S. made models as Toyota stated

"The problem parts are exclusive to U.S. made. There are no problems in Japan".

Now if you're talking about the large recall of Camry's, the one I'm familiar with is the ones that are "Made in China" for Chinese market.

"You can't teach old dogs new tricks"

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Now nigelboy- "Are you really that slow?"

"The Toyota models that are being recalled for accelarator problems are "made" in North America of which the accelarator is supplied/"made" by CTS, an Indiana based company."

These products are designed and engineered to specifications set by Toyota ! you can go ahead and split hairs with the vocabulary all you want. The fact remains Toyota is 100% responsible for the specs and final product. here, let me simplify it for you. You walk into a McDonalds in Japan- you order a Big Mac. Some Japanese citizen slaps it together in accordance with the materials and cooking instructions provided by the headquarters of McDonalds. It really is that simple. The problem with toyotas brakes, as far as we know- and this could change, is that they tried to cut costs and didn't provide enough quality steel to prevent wear on the pedal after a mere 35,000 miles ! Toyota is completely responsible for this- not some small time supplier in Indiana !

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These products are designed and engineered to specifications set by Toyota !

You're repeating what CTS spokeman stated.

http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/t3109/diary/201002030000/

Friction device is completely different. And no. Toyota does not design the friction device unit.

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@Branded wow you never give up when faced with facts or not. It has even been reported a few times in the U.S. that if YOUR CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN JAPAN and the VIN number shows that, your car is not apart of the recall. There is no reason to replace your accelerator pedal. And that also goes for Japan. CTS supplied manufacturing plants not only in the US but also in Europe,South E.A. and China. The mass recall you are referring to should not include Japan. The only recall I've heard of in Japan was for the 2010 hybrid Prius and that was a software issue not the accelerator pedal. But maybe Branded is really "that slow"

@skipbeat I understand your point but you are also confusing the mass recall with the additional software glitch. I still say that there is no outrageous design/engineering flaws based on a defective part which over time sticks. And a software issue with braking on the 2010prius that gives a driver a delayed sense of reaction when breaking doesn't qualify in books either.

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Some guy in U.S. picked it up as well.

"Why Toyota must Replace Flawed CTS Gas Pedal with Superior Denso Pedal"

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/why-toyota-must-replace-flawed-cts-gas-pedal-with-superior-denso-pedal/

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"Toyota does not design the friction device unit."

Right- and Mcdonalds is not responsible for the quality of the meat they put in their burgers. I7d love to hear you lay that logic down in a court of law- hell, even Toyota won't try that angle. "Oh it's not our fault- the supplier makes the product- we just use it in our autos. Good luck Nigelboy you and shiningfinger can cry on each others shoulders.

"The mass recall you are referring to should not include Japan"

But it does- as reported here at Japantoday on Tuesday Feb 9th. "That" is the recall I am referring to. as if it matters- toyota is ultimately responsible for the products it produces- no matter where they are made. this is the angle i see the general Japanese public taking- explains the story a while back about how people in Tokyo weren't concerned over the recall story at Toyota- My how that has changed. I just ran across a story detailing a 180 degree turn by Japanese citizens over the problem. They are now suddenly "very" concerned.

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Toyota may have created the design and sourced it to CTS or CTS developed the design and it was approved by Toyota. Even if we did a teardown analysis, it won’t solve the “whodunnit” problem without knowing the supplier-OEM responsibility relationship.

Yes “design responsibility” rests with Toyota. But you are thinking like an engineer. Now think like a liability lawyer. CTS makes pedals for Honda, Ford, GM, Nissan and Merceds Benz. A liability lawyer will ask if CTS knew that here was a problems with the Toyota pedal design since clearly they are experts in the manufacture of drive by wire pedals and regardless of how they answer that question they are screwed.

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Shiningfinger- @skipbeat I understand your point but you are also confusing the mass recall with the additional software glitch. I still say that there is no outrageous design/engineering flaws based on a defective part which over time sticks. And a software issue with braking on the 2010prius that gives a driver a delayed sense of reaction when breaking doesn't qualify in books either.

Shiningfinger, I understand the recall for the Prius. I can't help thinking the flaw in the massive recall for the "pedal" defact. A decade ago Toyota made changes to the gas pedal. Toyota installed the electronic throttle control systems in their cars. It has to be the flaw in the software. The software is reading the acceleration of the pedal as the driver is driving it. The software is not 100% foul proof. The software could go haywire any given time. If it wasn't than Toyota wouldn't be in the mess they are in at this moment.

The fix for the software is to update it. If not then Toyota should have developed a software to over ride the electronic throttle control systems.

Since the "pedal" is the problem for the "unintended acceleration" made by CTS stated by Toyota, I would like to know the specs for both the CTS and Denso's pedal as to why one is a defect and the latter one isn't?

It is strange that the Toyota cars in Japan are not on the recall list with the exception of the Prius.

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Here is a current article about Toyota will installed braking override system on more models.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/13/business/13toyota.html?ref=business

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Now with the Prius recalled WORLDWIDE (yes, this includes made in Japan ones), whiners can stop saying it is a ploy by the US to bash Japans cars. Who came up with that stupid idea anyway?

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... in any case, in Russia have a big marketplace

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"It is strange that the Toyota cars in Japan are not on the recall list with the exception of the Prius."

"Strange" ? Possibly criminal ! Seems that Toyota really doesn't care about it's customers- or should I say it's overseas customers. Remember, these parts are all designed and manufactured to specs provided by Toyota- who is ultimately responsible for the safety of the final product. So why have they designed so many defective products for their customers outside of Japan ? Multiple deaths and hundreds of injuries later people world-wide are waking up to those questions- thanks for the reminder skipbeat- we are all waiting for Toyota Execs to respond, Feb. 24th in front of a US congressional hearing- just the first of many I do believe.

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And there we go, Toyota throws its supplier under the bus..

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Personally, I think the American media is attacking Toyota. I live in Los Angeles, and there are recalls all the time for GM, Ford, Chrysler, and all the other American automobile companies, but the US media never talks about them. To me, it seems that since the US Government is bailing out its failing auto industry, they saw this opportunity to bash Toyota and boost that sales of the American cars. I think its a disgusting tactic devised by the American media and the government.

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Branded at 01:26 AM JST - 14th February "It is strange that the Toyota cars in Japan are not on the recall list with the exception of the Prius." "Strange" ? Possibly criminal ! Seems that Toyota really doesn't care about it's customers- or should I say it's overseas customers. Remember, these parts are all designed and manufactured to specs provided by Toyota- who is ultimately responsible for the safety of the final product. So why have they designed so many defective products for their customers outside of Japan ? Multiple deaths and hundreds of injuries later people world-wide are waking up to those questions- thanks for the reminder skipbeat- we are all waiting for Toyota Execs to respond, Feb. 24th in front of a US congressional hearing- just the first of many I do believe

Branded I love how you spin one sentence. Your opinion sound like this other person before I asked the person to back up his claim. The author said, "Now thousands of people worldwide have lost their lives from abrupt acceleration in Toyota cars." After I post a comment to question the statement on the author's blog, the person changed it to "Now, with people being people, the next thing you may hear of is claim that thousands of people worldwide have lost their lives from abrupt acceleration in Toyota cars.Whether that will be true or not will be another thing to occupy the media for the next few months."

http://hubpages.com/hub/Meaning-of-Toyota-Models-of-Toyota-Cars-Toyota-Models-List-and-Toyota-Logo

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