Last week, the L.A. Times published another article about Toyota's problems with recalls and the ongoing unintended acceleration controversy. The article contends that Toyota has been slow to react when it come to possible recall issues.
"A peerless reputation for quality and safety has helped Toyota become the world's largest automaker. But even as its sales have soared, the company has delayed recalls, kept a tight lid on disclosure of potential problems and attempted to blame human error in cases where owners claimed vehicle defects," wrote the Times.
Not surprisingly, Toyota tells a different story. In a written response posted on its website, Toyota wrote the following:
While outraged by the Times' attack, we were not totally surprised. The tone of the article was foreshadowed by the phrasing of a lengthy list of detailed questions that the Times emailed to us recently. The questions were couched in accusatory terms.
Despite the tone, we answered each of the many questions and sent them to the Times. Needless to say, we were disappointed by the article that appeared today, and in particular by the fact that so little of our response to the questions appeared in the article and much of what was used was distorted.
If you're concerned about this issue, it's probably worth your time to read both the L.A. Times article and Toyota's response, both are interesting reads.
L.A. Times: Toyota found to keep tight lid on potential safety problems
jederino says:
12:59 PM, 12/28/09
I can see Toyota's perspective here. However, any semblence of witholding information is cause for concern. Is this another LA Times hatchet job? I would have liked to see more description of standard practice on the EDR data tools between manufacturers. The article does appear to be after blood and readership, with the inuendo and lack of background.
firstwagon says:
02:03 PM, 12/28/09
Ahh the price of being at the top of the market. Doesn't matter if you are Toyota, GM, Microsoft or even Tiger Woods.
People love to hear dirt on you and there are always bottom level reporters who will creatively come up with stories in order to make a buck.
chopperx says:
08:49 PM, 12/28/09
you taste that Toyota? That is sweet taste of defeat... enjoy it - you've earned it!
No longer the golden child of the auto industry, they have to actually respond to newspaper articles now to save face! haha
brn says:
09:01 PM, 12/28/09
Toyota issues have been ignored for the last couple of decades. I didn't see anything in the Times quote that doesn't have multiple examples.
It's about time.
kdhspyder says:
02:47 PM, 12/29/09
Taste of defeat? The response from Toyota slapped the LA Times around for it's agenda-driven line of questioning. As another site mentioned LAT posed its questions in the form of 'Have you stopped killing puppies? If so, when did you stop?' The questions also omitted or misrepresented important and significant facts.
The LAT is trying to build a circumstantial case based on 'what might have happened' but with no facts. Many of their insinuated theories were stomped out of existence as being false or not factual.
Don't bring a knife to a gun fight comes to mind.