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Toyota Plans Press Conference For Today To Release Findings

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Danny, Mar 15, 2010.

  1. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    The AP is reporting that Toyota plans to hold a press conference today to release their findings on the alleged sudden acceleration incident of a Prius in San Diego. As you probably already know, an early Congressional memo has shown that NHTSA and Toyota have not been able to replicate the issue. We'll keep you updated on when the press conference is going to happen and the information released.
     
  2. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I am so looking forward for the "proof" of innocent to clear the guilty accusations.

    Did I have get it backward or the entire US has turned upside down?
     
  3. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    I think Mr sikes is probably full of it, but how does toyota 'prove' its innocence?
     
  4. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    It can't:

    "The argument from ignorance,also known as argumentum ad
    ignorantiam ("appeal to ignorance"), or negative evidence,is a
    [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logical_fallacy"]logical fallacy[/ame] in which it is claimed that a premise is true only
    because it has not been proven false, or is false only because it
    has not been proven true."

    From: [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_ignorance"]Argument from ignorance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]


    But, neither can those who would have it that Sikes' allegations are
    valid "prove" it.

    Stalemate.

    There remains the matters of perceived character and reputation on
    which to make an individual determination as to the probable
    truthfulness of Sikes' allegations.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiiE-h9ZYag"]YouTube- Mendacity - Cat On A Hot Tin Roof[/ame]
     
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  5. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Well, like they did in the leaked memo. If the ICE did race out of control, MG1 would be shot. It was not the case since they were able to drive the car. Both Toyota engineer and NHTSA technician were unable to reproduce the pedal sticking issue.

    1) Pedal did not stick
    2) ICE did not runaway

    Now, Mr.Sikes lawyer is claiming that the ghost in the car caused it. That can not be proved scientifically. The investigation has to be handed over to the Ghost Busters.

    In any case, the cause was not Prius nor Toyota.
     
  6. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    that was my point, I am not sure what toyota has to gain? If sikes faked it, eventually it will come out. There is a danger that the press conference could be taken in a negative light by the public, especially if there is another high-profile 'event' in the near-future.
     
  7. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    I beg to differ. You made no such point. You merely hinted at the
    conundrum that Toyota finds itself in relative to the
    unsubstantiated allegations that have been made by Sikes.

    It should be noted that Sikes has not demonstrated the truthfulness
    of his allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. Contrary to what the
    media would have us believe, the ball never left his court...

    Unless there has been a reversal in the fundamentals of American
    jurisprudence, Toyota is presumed "innocent" until proven
    otherwise.

    However, this whole matter of so called "unintentional acceleration"
    if anything, is a matter of technical competance. Only after that
    would come possible considerations of "innocence."
     
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  8. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Agreed.
    As I've said a few times before, it can't really do Toyota any good to discredit people. It will be accepted as "big bad international foreign-owned company making fun of the American public."
    The only possible "positive" would be to deter anyone who is right now thinking about staging a run-away incident. Once they set the precedent that each instance will be investigated by Toyota, NHTSB and Feds I would think that the number of reported instances will drop off dramatically.
     
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  9. forte88

    forte88 Member

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    Certainly it is a crime to commit fraud, and perhaps the public should be made aware of attempting to commit this kind of fraud has dire consequences (both incarceration and financial consequences). I remember the lady who put the severed finger in her Chili at Wendy's was raked over the coals for her attempt at fraud, and we didn't see that kind of activity for the longest time afterward. If they can't find anything wrong with Sike's vehicle, It's time to make an example of Sikes to discourage others from attempting the same.
     
  10. dr_d12

    dr_d12 Member

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  11. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    I think the Sikes case may very well be a hoax, but using your logic if the CHP from last August had eventually been able to stop the lexus would you have thought he was a hoax too? IF the SUA is truly electronic in most cases, do you think it could be reproduced easily?
     
  12. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Wasn't it investigated already? The root cause was double layered floor mat. The top mat was not even for that Lexus.

    The unfamiliarity with the push start button was also a factor. Yes, the way the button shutdown the car could improve to be more intuitive.

    None of the reasons were due to electronics haywired. They worked as designed.

    So far the only issues reported about electronic issues were hoaxes. Either it be Dr.Gilbert or Mr.Sikes, they were all intended by the accusers.
     
  13. a1a1a1

    a1a1a1 Member

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    It is amazing that they came to definitive findings on this eight-day-old ultra-technical matter. It holds so much at stake for their company and customers. How resourceful and efficient Toyota is to release a report before the NHTSA.

    Let's see ... Well, I read the car sat for two-and-a-half days plus there were two weekend days since the event. We also know that a solid day was spent replacing all the front mechanical braking components. So ... That's two-and-a-half days of solid and very efficient Toyota investigating.

    Yes, amazing it is!

    And, the true amazement is how the PR side of things continues to trump the technical seriousness of this matter. I thought this was a spoof or something when I saw the thread title.
     
  14. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    I will never believe that the CHP officer crash was the result of floor mats. I had the floor mat cause SUA acceleration when I was 19 years old and I had the presence of mind to check that within 20 seconds. I was 19 years old, not a trained driver.(for the record the piston went through the block after another hour of driving because I pushed in the clutch to avoid hitting the car in front of me) If that accident happened to day they would never be so quick to come to the floor mat fault.
     
  15. a1a1a1

    a1a1a1 Member

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    Back then the ultimate decisions were made by your foot or your hand, not an ECU that presses the gas or shifts the trannie. One would think the car manufacturers would leave at least one of the transmission or acceleration systems under direct human control.
     
  16. ManualOnly

    ManualOnly New Member

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    Fact is, however unlikely, a person can make fatal mistake, regardless of the person's professional backgnd.
     
  17. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    He had the presence of mind to call 911 but did not think to check the floor mats? I will never believe that.
     
  18. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    How can you relate yours to the CHP officer? The street you drove on, traffic condition, car horsepower, transmission are completely different than his.

    If you do not believe in the investigation, what would? A ghost in the machine?
     
  19. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    He did not call 911. The passenger in the back did.
     
  20. Politburo

    Politburo Active Member

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    One would think the stacked floormats in the Lexus, taken with the prior complaint, would lead almost any person to believe it was a real event.

    IF the SUA is electronic, as you've been claiming for months without a shred of evidence......