http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/03/business/global/03toyota.html?hpw Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota, the world’s biggest automaker, might as well have thrown himself on the ground in a tearful kowtow. From grief over a fatal crash linked to Toyota floor mats to regrets over the company’s forecast for a second consecutive annual loss, the executive spewed a litany of apologies to astonished reporters gathered for a briefing Friday at the Japan National Press Club. or see this slightly less slanted version: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=8729559 Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota Motor, at a news conference in Tokyo on Friday.
The difference is that he appoligized. I respect him for that. GM/Chrysler/Ford Execs would not appoligze (Pinto exploding gas tanks come to mind) and then they would expect an obsecne bonus even after dismal annual results. I applaud Akio.
I still don't see how the mats are even their faults. It seems to me that it would be the owner (many dealers just leave them in the bag in the trunk for the owner to install) and then decided to install without using the hooks or the person who removed them for cleaning and re-installed them incorrectly. Could also be the dealer personnel who preps the car and didn't use the hooks. I agree I applaud him for the apology especially as far as the annual losses. I like people who take responsibility for things even when the economic situation is mostly out of his control. I also applaud the Toyota company for being quick to right the ship and shift to making the right products and not just using it as an excuse to shed thousands upon thousands of jobs. (aside from NUMMI). My Prius is the first and only Toyota I have ever driven and they probably have won me over for life for more then just making a great car. I am hopeful that they improve their dealership network in the future because that to me is their weakest link as 2 of the 3 different dealers closest to me that I have experience with are absolutely horrible to say the least.
This could be a terrific opportunity for every driver to learn that any gas pedal can get jammed open by any floor mat. It happened to me 30 years ago in a Buick -- very hairy experience. Now I look for a mat out of place and fix it. As far as Toyoda's remarks; I'm impressed. This took real strength and character, qualities too often lacking in leaders today. I'd buy a car from this guy, and I'd feel proud to even meet him.
Wait a minute though, I think there is a distinct difference here. Toyoda was expressing regrets, and taking responsibilty. That's a lot different than offering up excuses. You really do have to respect Toyoda for that attitude. I have to think an American car company and an American CEO, and you wouldn't get a statement until it was filtered through about 100 corporate lawyers. You wouldn't get any admission of a mistake. These are troubling times for all businesses, for all economies. I'm sure this whole issue is devastating to Toyoda and Toyota. But I still think inpart the attitude expressed by Toyoda is why Toyota will emerge.
I suppose some pedal designs are more vulnerable than others, but no matter how good the design, there is some risk. I remember having something roll under a rudder pedal when I was flying an airplane. That was not fun. Tom
+ 1 Note that in subsequent online revisions of the NY Times article and in the print edition, the Times correctly changed the word "Excuses" to "Apologies".
Very true ... not only do we not admit we're wrong ... the more proof that gets heaped on, the more we dig in. Remember the movie, "Flash of Genius" ? Where back in the late '60's early '70's Ford & Chrysler flat out STOLE the intermittent wiper design from Robert Kearns? Robert Kearns, Inventor of Intermittent Windshield Wipers and Battled Car Companies, Dies at 77 In fact rather than apologize, Chrysler kept trying to get their verdict overturned until the mid 1990's. Chrysler could have used that money on court costs and patent infringement to stay out of bankruptcy ... but noooo. That's messed up.
“When you hear these long apologies,” Mr. Dujarric said, “It makes you want to say: ‘Don’t be sorry, just do something about it.’ ” I am glad they are sorry. It shows that they are human and have some heart. At the same time, I agree with the author that "doing something about it" is much more important that all the apologies in the world. I certainly agree. I clean my own car, and I unhook and rehook the driver mat every time I vacuum around and under it. To not rehook the mat would be playing with your life (for most people. Some of us realize that you can shift the car into neutral and gently apply the parking brake). Considering the existence of the hooks - responsibility on Toyota's part - I don't see how this is Toyota's fault. Perhaps, they need to take it a step further and apply and electric sensor so that if the hooks are not engaged, you cannot start the engine.
