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Toyota – The Japanese Perspective
The Japan Times had
a story in the Sunday 2/21 edition that discussed the problems that
Toyota faces in the United States. I thought it was an interesting take
on this story. It provides a window on how this is being perceived in
Japan. Some of it took me by surprise. For example:
The Japanese media primarily see this backlash as being culturally motivated.
Culturally motivated? What does that mean? Does that mean that the
public lashing that Toyota is taking in the US is actually because
Americans don’t really like Japanese people? What a bizarre perspective
on this.
The article suggests that Toyota’s problems might be part of some high stakes maneuvering by the US military:
The American government now effectively owns General
Motors, and thus has a stake in its revitalization. Certain
publications infer even more nefarious purposes. Shukan Port claims
that the U.S. is getting back at Japan for dragging its feet about
moving the Futenma air base.
This about an airbase? Americans have been driving their car
involuntary into bridge abutments in order to influence the outcome of
negotiations on a military base? The American government has whipped up
the furry by their control of the press and made this a piece in a very
big chess game? Give me a break. The word paranoia comes to mind.
This should make Toyota owners much happier. At least it would if it were true.
In the U.S., models subjected to recalls tend to have
higher resale value since it's assumed they've been checked thoroughly
and are thus safer.
The article dismisses the safety problems of Toyota’s cars with the following:
Automobile recalls are common, even in Japan.
Even in Japan? Does that mean there is an expectation of better quality
cars in Japan than in the US? Is that what Japan believes? Is that the
truth?
I loved this section. I can’t imagine a system that worked like this. Everything would be gray.
In Japan recalls are carried out in a low-key manner,
normally publicized with very brief articles in the back of the daily
newspapers. Unlike in the U.S., television as a rule doesn't report
recalls, ostensibly because they are considered business transactions
between manufacturers and consumers, but mainly because automobile
makers are major advertisers.
The article suggested that the media and customer response to the safety issues were going to cost the silly Americans:
Governors of four states where Toyota operates
factories have sent letters to the U.S. Congress defending the
automaker. Toyota dealerships in America employ 172,000 people. Damage
to the company's reputation places these jobs in jeopardy.
The Japan Times take on this does not add up to much. It shows that
this paper and presumably many other people in Japan don’t really
understand how we think and what we think is important. Japan became
America’s largest external creditor recently. How stable could that be?
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Geez, "edit" function turned off in one minute. "Should" should be "showed", and left out the word "time" in para six.
Terrifically informative post.
All you needed to add was something about the Nipponese Lake Wobegon.
What an awesomely ecchi expression.
What you said their lewy, I see it.
When talking about Japan furries come in sooner or later.
The media attention to this is insanely overblown. Toyota has produced more quality cars over the past 20 years than anyone in the world, so they love to shoot them down. How many thousands of people have been killed by taking Avandia? (Not to mention how many Medical insurance dollars have been burned..) Yet Glaxo is not criticized in a similar way.
The undertone I have been getting from other articles on Toyota is that they are blaming the global expansion in production. The CTS pedal at the root of some of the problems is a clear indicator to them that they need to pull more manufacturing back to JP or get tighter control over the supply chain and alternative designs.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/why-toyota-must-replace-flawed-cts-gas-...
The personal take for me on this is that I have had breakdowns that left me stranded in a Dodge, a Nissan, and a Ford- I have had a Toyota for five years- and it has never needed anything other than the scheduled maintenance. My Honda was still running after it was in an accident and slid 100m on its roof. These recalls are not indicative of the quality of the vehicles most of us have experienced.
I think it was overhyped to help Government Motors myself...
"The Japan Times take on this does not add up to much. It shows that this paper and presumably many other people in Japan don’t really understand how we think and what we think is important. Japan became America’s largest external creditor recently. How stable could that be?"
Guessing there is a huge helping of rhetoric in this question. Who would have thought that putting the Chicago Political Apparatus at 1600 PA Ave. would have unintended consequences?
How wrong is Brak82? And how right is Big Union leadership? Since the latter is corrupt, treasonous and racketeers...I dunno Bruce. Can you blame the Japan Times for pushing an issue out that might be more mainstream than we know. This joker Emanual is a run amok mercenary who could probably give a rats ass about anything other than crossing the finish line. Valerie Jarrett makes him look like Ghandi.
The world has good reason to wonder WTF is going on in the USA. However misguided.
Quite a major misunderstanding. Scary to see these apparent beliefs. I think the US public has always been horrified at claims of cars that won't stop - remember Audis in the 1980's? - and that plus our sensationalistic media are the main factors. Congress is mostly along for the ride, trying to get their ugly faces in front of voters. There may be a slight pro-GM angle on the whole thing, but I think it is slight. And the stuff about the military base - absurd. Way off the deep end, but I guess they have a different focus than we do. I'll bet 95% of the US public is not aware of any dispute over that base.
I'll give on the base, but the issue with the brakes isn't that the cars don't stop, it's that they stop a fraction of as second late if you're jamming on the brakes in a prius while simultaneously hitting a bump. This still is not actually below the safety standards, it's just annoying. Ridiculous character assassination all of it. 20 acceleration issues in a decade? for serious? out of how many on the road? Get real. Talking about the military base is, I agree, not something the public is spinning; however the assault on Toyota is totally political. There is nothing wrong with these cars, at least nothing more than any other car out there. I'll bet you can find 20 bum accelerators in GM's over a DECADE. Jesus.
I think you have a misunderstanding. The Prius has a brake issue like you describe. It is completely unrelated to the brake/accelerator issue in the Camry and various other non-hybrid Toyota cars. The Prius issue may be small, but the other issue managed to kill a CHP officer (and 3 relatives) who apparently couldn't figure out how to stop the runaway Lexus ES300 he was driving. I don't worship police but I would imagine that a highway patrol officer would have a reasonably good idea of how to stop a car with mechanical problems, and apparently he couldn't get it to stop.
Of course Toyota cars needed to be recalled, but it doesn't help that the U.S. government owns GM and Obama is so beholden to the UAW.
But if public safety we truly an issue, then the U.S. government would have to recall everything imported from China.
The Japanese at least have pride in their products.
When the secretary of Transportation says not to drive a Toyota until its fixed says this recall is more political than about safety. Have to pump up those govt. brands.
The heads of major auto makers are forced to kiss Barney Frank's hairy ass just before they are nationalized.
Does that mean there is an expectation of better quality cars in Japan than in the US?
for sure. Quality and american cars? I dont think so...
and leave the driving to us. Over a cliff
I don't know of any time where a recall has recieved this much attention (exception maybe Ford Pinto). My first impression is this is being used as some kind of tool by the government.
I own a 1997 Nissan Pickup (D21). It has 226,000 miles on it. It has been in the shop only once! and that was under warranty. I would buy a Toyota, Honda, or Nissan any day. The amount of money I have saved by not having to buy a new car every few years, or having my car constantly fixed, is almost as great as my satisfaction of knowing that truck will still be driving long after I am dead.
i absolutely agree.....the japanese are correct
to note that the usa government owns gm and thus
has a highly vested interest in destroying competition....
the cia-controlled newsfaking press has been
playing this event like the invasion of normandy....
you bet the obama storm troopers are behind this...
+1 Exactamondo!!
I own two Toyota's and two Hondas and I can tell you that they are much better cars than the Fords and Chevy's I have owned. Much lower maintainance costs in the higher mileage ranges. This adverse publicity for Toyota is a media feeding frenzy and just another symptom of the darkening of the public mood as this grand supercycle downwave continues.
Toyota has not needed ad budgets anywhere near as large as the lower quality U.S. auto companies.