Toyota USA apology commercial

Yes, that is what GM has dealt with for decades and continues to deal with by continually refusing to accept responsibilty for defects in its product.

Let's compare the Prius brake issue to the defective power steering problem in the 2005-2009 Cobalt.

Toyota's customer registered complaints concerning the feel of the braking system as a G3 2010 Prius transitions from regenerative braking to friction braking. Approximately 100 consumer complaints were registered with NHTSA concerning the situation. There has been no certified documentation that the brake feel situation caused an accident, injury or death.

Toyota implemented a solution during production starting in late January 2010. This was 7 months after initial production and sale of the Prius.

The NHTSA investigation into the Prius started on 4 February 2010 by 8 February 2010 Toyota issued a voluntary recall. Just 4 days since the NHTSA opened its investigation to a voluntary recall. Meanwhile Toyota issued an apology to its Prius customers for the problem and provided dealers with the materials to remedy the situation.


Now the Cobalt. GM has known about an issue to the power steering system failing since 2005. 905,000 2005-2009 Cobalts are involved. The NHTSA has on file over 1,132 complaints, 11 recorded and documented accidents and 1 injury. The NHTSA has since opened a formal investigation to the problem on 1 February 2010. GM has since only acknowledged the investigation by the NHTSA has started. GM has yet to issue a public apology for any of 8 safety recalls in 2009, one of which required a wait of 7 months for parts.


It is with little doubt that Toyota's PR people mishandled the situation. However Toyota has demonstrated it is willing to do what is necessary to try to improve its product and regain its reputation.

BTW when was the last time GM shuttered its plants and halted production and sales of a model due to a safety defect? For that matter Ford or Chrysler? When was the last time any of the 3 asked their dealer's service departments to have extended hours to take care of customer's cars? Some dealerships have techs working 24/7 to assist customers. When was the last time the Detroit 2 did that?

 

Interesting watching news programs on TV the last couple of days. Although many of the news programs I've watched initially focus on Toyota's current vehicle problems, they are also talking about American manufacturers and their current problems. It puts things in proper perspective that none of the auto makers are producing a perfect product.

As for the Toyota commercial which is playing a lot here in the San Francisco Bay Area, it is really refreshing to hear any major auto maker publically admit there is a problem and they are aggressively fixing it. I hate to say it, but I don't think any American auto maker has the balls to do that.

I just wish Toyota would open a Prius assembly plant here in the U.S.

Keith

 

As I said in another thread, I have never ever heard an apology any of the American manufacturers of those "Other Non-Hybrids" such as the ones owned by malorn, Chrome, and other fans of those cars made by The Company Financed By My Tax Dollars.

This is a good thing for Toyota to do. They will survive. And they'll do it without begging Congress for any of my money. And I'll keep confidently driving my Prius in the rain, snow, and sunshine.

 

Geez, that would have been the worst thing they could have done .... to remind people of crashing, even using dummies in test cars!

I think the video ad was just right for the present, as a start to what will obviously become an extended PR campaign to restore the brand lustre. I particularly like the suggestion by a previous poster of showing on a map of the US the various locations of Toyota production and dealer centers, together with the economic impacts of the investment and employment levels involved over the decades. That should provide a sobering assessment of whether in the long run it is wise to bite the hand that feeds so many people.

 

Interesting. I just watched the canadian version. The images and music are the same, however the message is slightly different. I wonder why.

TOYOTA CANADA : News & Events > News
Click on "Toyota commitment" video on the right.

 

What I took from it was it's possible that this round of negativity might actually make Toyota stronger in terms of reliability and quality if by nothing else than by spreading the emphasis on a good product at every level of production.

 

I thought I saw a different apology commericial last night while watching the Olympics and my impression was much better. But it was late and I haven't seen it again this afternoon. But now to run some errands ... maybe after the 11th round of men's curling.

Bob Wilson

 

Let me answer for malorn:

"um . . . er . . . well . . . hea hea . . . I'll get back with you on that, but in the mean time, just remember ... there IS a conspiracy! You'll see. "

.

 

Yes, that is the one.

Bob Wilson