Posted on 01/19/2007 6:14:25 AM PST by eraser2005
Good. I hate Japanese cars.
Great story in 'Fast Times' (December, 2006) about quality philosophy at Toyota, and specifically the Georgetown, KY plant. It paints a picture of a relentless search for continuous quality improvement, as almost a cult like religion. It didn't convince me. I found it impossible to believe that every day Toyota workers are so inspired, just didn't seem in parallel with human nature.
These were made in Indiana.
and the money went to Japan!
"Toyota often announces a 'recall' even if no one has complained"
Where's that graphic of the BS meter when you need it?
The salaries went to Americans as does money for parts and services.
"...and the money went to Japan!"
Are there Japanese workers at these plants? Do these employees send their children to school in Japan?
I guess what you mean is the PROFITS go to a Japanese company. OOOOOHHH. That's EVIL!
Yep. Ford never calculated the immense cost of a bad reputation.
The parts in question were made by an American company (Federal-Mogul) and installed in an Indiana plant by Americans. 60-some percent of the price of the car stayed in the US and served to keep American jobs going.
If you buy a GM, most of your money goes to Mexico or Canada. It does not stay here. It does not employ many Americans, and in fact, the little that did go to Detroit probably left for GM's China ventures shortly thereafter.
FYI - do you know what the #1 nationality of Toyota stockholders is?
"...Where's that graphic of the BS meter when you need it?"
It's common industry knowledge.
Really.
Ford Lied - People Died
Let's not forget an even more recent example - the Ford truck cruise control fires - where people have ACTUALLY died, and houses have ACTUALLY burned down, and Ford still didn't start recalling trucks until a lawsuit was threatened.
Should read:
Six injuries, 11 accidents, and 17 lawsuits were reported as a result of the defect, Japan's top automaker said Friday.
Actually, unlike Ford, Toyota usually starts a recall before lawsuits are in the air.
What, it's common knowledge that Toyota recalls vehicles when no one has complained?
Then why the h*ll have there been multiple class action lawsuits forcing Toyota into action on the Toyota I have? What complete bull****....
And Toyota never calculates the cost of a proper repair? Why the heck did they recall 160,000 Tundras just six months ago and do the improper repair then? The law stated if they had airbag cutoff switches, they had to have child safety seat latches built-in. So they recalled the trucks and took OUT the cutoff switches rather than performing the more expensive repair of puting the latches in.
In other words, they must have determined that the cheaper repair of removing the switch was better, even though it directly made the seat much more dangerous for small children...
"...the Pinto gas tank comes to mind"
Are you referring to the Ford Pinto with the exploding gas tank that they put the exploding Firestone 500 tires on? /s
Complete BS...
And at the time, the cruise control fire was a known issue, yet this truck was not recalled.
Everyone in the auto industry makes mistakes. The difference between a lousy company and a good one (in this regard) is how they deal with it. And Ford is one of the worst in this regard. GM's not far behind (see "Cold Spark Knock" and their insistence that piston slap is "normal" and "acceptable"), and Chrysler isn't much better.
I said usually, not always. It should also be pointed out that Toyota *usually* recalls more cars than they have to when there's a safety issue like this.
Also, Toyota *is* recalling this ahead of a NHTSA investigation getting started, which Ford and the rest of the domestic crowd *never* seem to do.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.