Toyota, which employs over 35,000 workers in the United States with factories in eight states, is the target of a government-led and union-supported attack due to recent recalls.
In the U.S., it is estimated that 15,000 Lexus HS250h and 133,000 Prius models will be recalled due to gas pedal issues, with another 500,000 Prius and other gasoline-electric hybrids needing anti-brake software modification. As unfortunate and inconvenient as recalls can be, this not the first, or last time an automobile will need to be brought back to the shop for a quick fix.
One might think this is the first auto recall in decades from the way government officials and Congressional Committees have pounced on Toyota. However, as recent as last month, Honda announced a recall of 646,000 Fit models (or Jazz in some markets) due to a faulty master switch that could allow water to enter the electrical components resulting in fires. Ford, less than one year ago, was forced to recall more than 4 million cars based on 550 vehicle fires. The recall concerned cruise-control deactivation switches that were installed in 16 million Fords. Part of the recall included nearly 1.1 million 1995-2003 Ford Windstar family van models.
There was no government outcry and no demand for Congressional hearings over these recent recalls. So why has Toyota suddenly become the target of a government-led witch hunt?
Toyota’s U.S. operations are extremely successful, not saturated by inefficient union monopolies, and are in direct competition with the now government-owned General Motors.
From their first U.S. factory in 1988, the Japanese company’s success in the U.S. is extraordinary. In 2003, the Camry became the best-selling car in the U.S. and still is. In 2005, Fortune magazine stated: “By nearly every measure, Toyota is the world’s best auto manufacturer. It may be the world’s best manufacturer, period.” In 2006, Toyota became the third-biggest seller of cars and trucks in the U.S. In 2007, Toyota captured second place in the U.S. market, replacing Ford, which had held the No. 2 position since 1931. In 2008, as GM declined and temporarily avoided bankruptcy, Toyota surpassed their unionized competitor becoming the largest automaker in the world.
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14 comments:
Strange, our government takes over the auto industry with our money, and then problems arise with Toyota that the government must investigate. Reminds me of Tucker and what our government did to his car.
You want to know why Obama is after Toyota, because after the cash for clunkers deal was over Toyota closed a California plant that was the only union plant that Toyota had in the US and to rub salt in the wound this plant use to build the Corolla a small fuel efficient car that was one of the top sellers in the cash for clunkers. The Corolla is now being built at the new non union Tundra plant in the red state of Texas!!
While unions have benefited workers over the years, no doubt and no argument.
But they have also become ridiculously powerful lobbying and special interest entities, not to mention some of their grossly corrupt practices.
Will steps ever be taken to limit the influence and power that goes over the line?
More paranoia from the far right. You guys are worse than 9/11 truthers. How about this: Toyota has problems and needs to recall some of their cars.
Like Hoffa.
You guys need to get over all of this. The MSM pounded the domestics for years, and Toyota could do no wrong. Now, it's Toyota's turn to get pounded. No big deal, it will pass, and they will come back fine. As the world turns........
I've been away from the 24 hour news cylce for a week or two. But from what I have seen, can someone provide some real examples of the "Toyota Bashing" you're complaining about? These recalls are national news and as usual the media picks up on the story to entertain us. And I haven't seen any statements from Obama bashing Toyota.
You have ALL proven my point in this Post and the other one today.
AGAIN, not ONE of you have had issues and problems with your Toyota's.
Don't start coming back here now saying you had problems because you would have said it by now.
Our Government LIES, period.
Obama is just practicing Chicago gang land mafia politics with all his Chicago cronies.Why do you think Obama wants to tape everyones cell phone conversations!
Japan just bought a mother load of bond debt of ours that China was holding making them our # credit holder.
Joe I agree, there is nothing wrong with Toyota relative to any other company. The problem is that people are bashing Obama about this (I guess they really don't need an excuse at this point). But I would like to see specifically where Obama has "gone after" besides statements from the transportation secretary who was simply doing his job.
Joe, you have to think a bit more globally. Just because a small representation of people on the ES have had no problems with their toyotas does not mean that no one has had problems. It is just like a crib recall. If one or two babies out of the millions in the US have an incident with a crib, they recall them all. Get a grip everyone!
When my current Toyots gets about 200,000 miles on it, I WILL BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA. Basically, all you have to do is change the oil, fill it up with gas, and wash it once in a while. They last forever with minimal effort.
Joe said it right, OUR government LIES. I LOVE MY TOYOTA. 300 THOUSAND plus miles, normal maintenance, drive respectfully AND again OVER300,000.
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