Orange County, CA sues Toyota

[snberk103]

It's cheap populist politics at the end of the day. They wouldn't dare touch it with an American manufacturer.

That's because now the US government is now a major shareholder. Going after Toyota could be interpreted as a way to help their investments.

Oh please. Bush back in 2006 saying the Big 3 didn't make vehicles the public wanted and said he wouldn't help them( though he eventually did back in 2008, but according to Cheney I believe he did it so it would be one less thing he would be responsible for).

The Big 3 have been under the scrutiny of our government plenty of times. Most recent is back in 2008 when Congress grilled them when the CEO's went to ask for a loan. Even when our government took a 60% ownership of GM, they didn't hesitate to criticize its mismanagement. They stated GM's handling of its finances were the worst they have ever seen.

Which is why the US government could be accused of now trying to protect its ownership stake.

Just thinking out loud...

 

[dsnort]

Even when our government took a 60% ownership of GM, they didn't hesitate to criticize its mismanagement. They stated GM's handling of its finances were the worst they have ever seen.

I had to LOL, the US Government criticizing someone else's money management???!!! Bwahahahahahahaha!

This whole thing is complete bollox. Nothing but a bunch of incompetent and/or half asleep drivers stepping on the wrong pedal. "The harder I pressed on the brake, the faster it went"? That's because you were pressing on the accelerator, you ****. I've seen it happen a couple of times myself. Toyota will be ruined by this, for no good reason at all.

Similar happened to Audi back in the late 70's, maybe early 80's. What was originally called SAD, (Sudden Acceleration Disorder), eventually became known as FFS, (Fat Foot Syndrome). Audi lost millions in sales.

 

[jaw04005]

I do think there are/were some defects with Toyota models. However, the vast majority of criticism now is just other people jumping on the bandwagon.

American car makers have been in trouble for the last five or so years, and with that has come some built-up jealousy for Toyota and other Asian car makers.

It’s a sort of become “See Toyota has issues too!”

The press is loving it (it’s the ideal ratings-boosting American hard news story — Priuses accelerating uncontrollably down the free way), our government is using it as an example to justify the American car maker bailouts and the rest of the country loves a little drama that comes from someplace besides our government, Wall Street or corporations.

One thing is for sure, Toyota handled this poorly. From a PR standpoint, they should have been out in front to head this off. The last issue like this I can remember recently was the Firestone tires/Ford explorer debacle.

 

[JNB]

The last issue like this I can remember recently was the Firestone tires/Ford explorer debacle.

Which was predominately another episode of blaming someone else for poor driving skills and even worse maintenance on the owners' part.

 

[quagmire]

I do think there are/were some defects with Toyota models. However, the vast majority of criticism now is just other people jumping on the bandwagon.

American car makers have been in trouble for the last five or so years, and with that has come some built-up jealousy for Toyota and other Asian car makers.

It’s a sort of become “See Toyota has issues too!”

The press is loving it (it’s the ideal ratings-boosting American hard news story — Priuses accelerating uncontrollably down the free way), our government is using it as an example to justify the American car maker bailouts and the rest of the country loves a little drama that comes from someplace besides our government, Wall Street or corporations.

One thing is for sure, Toyota handled this poorly. From a PR standpoint, they should have been out in front to head this off. The last issue like this I can remember recently was the Firestone tires/Ford explorer debacle.

Congress has no interest in GM. In matter of fact they came to the dealers that were ousted during Chapter 11 aid and passed legislation( which Obama strangely signed) that gave them the option to take GM to arbitration which hurts GM because their dealer network just got a bit more bloated again. Plus, many of the senators dealing with the Toyota investigation once received contributions from Toyota. They also voted against helping GM back in 2008.

It is the executive branch that has the interest in GM since it was the executive branch that owns the 60% share in GM.

Which was predominately another episode of blaming someone else for poor driving skills and even worse maintenance on the owners' part.

And blaming Ford for when it was a defect with Firestone and the tires.

 

[JNB]

And blaming Ford for when it was a defect with Firestone and the tires.

Considering that most if not all cases the tires were underinflated, overloaded, and being driven at excessive speeds in summer temperatures on a high-center vehicle, I'm not sure they could really blame the tires, as all the factors exceeded design specs and manufacturer's guidelines plus any margin of safety built in. Tread separation or catastrophic failure after all that is not a matter of if, but when. IIRC there was an issue with the rubber compound or application to the belt that was contributory, but certainly not causal.

I'm pretty sure Ford also redesigned the suspension with the Explorer model change after that; whether it could be considered related or not, I don't know, but stability was addressed. Could've been worse, I suppose, coulda been Bronco II's.

Oh, well, you can't design to cover stupid, I guess.

 

[jaw04005]

Congress has no interest in GM.

First of all, where did I even mention Congress in my post?

I said "government." And guess what? Congress gave the executive branch the power and funds to bail out GM - so yeah, they're interested.

Just like they're interested in holding congressional hearings where they can publicly scold Toyota's CEO yet in reality do nothing but waste a bunch of people's time and money.

 

[quagmire]

First of all, where did I even mention Congress in my post?

I said "government." And guess what? Congress gave the executive branch the power and funds to bail out GM - so yeah, they're interested.

Just like they're interested in holding congressional hearings where they can publicly scold Toyota's CEO yet in reality do nothing but waste a bunch of people's time and money.

You said the government has an interest in making GM look good and support the bailouts. I went into specifics because the branch of government that has an interest in GM is not involved in the hearings.

Congress passed TARP to aid the failing financial industry. No where did they give permission to use it to bail out GM and Chrysler. They put in no limitations though on what the President could spend it on. That is why after Congress voted to not give GM and Chrysler a loan, Bush stepped in and gave them a loan using TARP money.