Toyota owners whose cars have had the recall fix performed on their throttle pedals are now filing complaints with NHTSA to the effect of "it didn't work." At least 13 have been logged.
Representative Bart Stupak (D-Michigan) then added fuel to the fire today when he told Bloomberg that Toyota owners should feel "not very safe" when driving their cars.
"I don't think yet they have an answer [to reports of alleged unintended acceleration]," he said. "There's a glitch in either the computer, the software or the electronic system, and they haven't been able to narrow it down."
But here's a reality check on all this: Inside Line's parent company, Edmunds.com, reports that purchase intent for Toyota vehicles increased 38.5 percent from March 1 to March 2, following Toyota's announcement of its March sales program.
The automaker is offering 0 percent financing for up to a 60-month term on the 2010 Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Matrix, RAV4, Tundra and Yaris.
Stupak, if you're wondering, served as a Michigan State Trooper for over a decade and holds a law degree; he is not, however, an engineer.
Inside Line News -- Toyota Recall: "It's Doing It Again, Mom!"
dg0472 says:
03:46 PM, 03/ 4/10
No surprise. There are lots of Boomer Toyota loyalists who have trouble believing there's really a problem and/or this is a government ploy to help out GM and Chrysler, though there's little evidence so far that either is being helped. No surprise there are bargain hunters among that group. The real test for the company is can it keep making conquest sales. Edmunds need to see if they can get a read on what these folks currently own.
firstwagon says:
06:42 PM, 03/ 4/10
Even those of us who don't like Toyota are having trouble believing much of this. Not because I don't believe toyotas can have problems but because of the questionable nature of so many of the complaints.
Having people like "Representative Bart Stupak (D-Michigan)" making uneducated comments like that doesn't help the case either.
It needs to be independently investigated by engineers not by some absurd government enquiry done by politicians with no knowledge of cars and judging by the clips I saw on the news, a bias agenda.
stovt001 says:
12:04 AM, 03/ 5/10
At first this depressed me, but then I realized this may be an acceleration of the natural selection process. Hopefully drivers of other makes can avoid the missiles.
throwback says:
05:11 AM, 03/ 5/10
Erin you don't look very happy driving that Highlander. I wouldn't be either, that truck gets uglier by the day.
1487 says:
05:55 AM, 03/ 5/10
Here is a reality check: Toyota is resorting to discounts that were unheard of 1-2 years ago. Intent to purchase will jump when you offer the best discounts in your history- but what happens next. Shockingly the press' attitude towards these incentives is much different than when GM or Chrysler pile on discounts. In the old days (like 3 years ago) 0% financing and advertising nothing but deals was a bad sign. I used to hear that Detroit was "bribing" people to buy their cars while Hondas and Toyotas sold on reputation and quality. Once you jump into the incentive game its hard to get out easily. GM, Ford, Chrysler, Hyundai, Nissan, etc. can vouch for that. After this one month promotion Toyota will have to either extend incentives or accept a drop off in business. People in the past didnt expect discounts on Toyotas because they didnt think it was possible to get them- now that myth has been shattered so people will expect Detroit like incentives when they visit a Toyota dealer.
bepperb says:
07:23 AM, 03/ 5/10
Maybe, I'm sure Toyota assumes when the media circus (no offense edmunds, at least you have the credentials to comment) dies down the sales will increase to match the ending of incentives. We'll see. People don't really consider the explorer/firestone fiasco, so I doubt they'll care much about this in a year's time.
This unintended acceleration is becoming the severed finger in the pepsi can. But, even assuming the problem still exists if I were in the immediate market.... I'd at least consider a 1 in 100,000 chance at firey death for 0%/60 months, so I can see why interest is up.
1487 says:
08:04 AM, 03/ 5/10
I'm not saying this mess wont blow over- I am saying that people expect discounts after they have a taste of them. Toyota and Honda's profitability is partially based on getting premium pricing for their products regardless of merit. Honda has managed to keep incentives modest and isn't really chasing sales. Toyota is now resorting to Chrsyler style tactics to sell cars and there is NO reason to think people will gladly go back to Toyota's lackluster offers once the acceleration mess dies down. Prior to this Toyota was in a position where it didnt have to match incentives from other automakers to generate interest. This is the first sign that they really will have to start battling for sales based primarily on price. This surge in interest is nice but I doubt it will last once others respond with similar efforts.
notabigdeal says:
10:40 AM, 03/ 5/10
Although, the hearing with congress is was a good step congress needs to get the F*** out of this and stop spurring panic. Stupid Stupak isn't helping anyone. the NHTSA and Toyota got their spanking for now and let see what solution they come up with (aka they kinda need some time to come up with a solution...). It good to seem concerned for constituents, but seriously let the two figure it out.
hollowtek says:
12:13 PM, 03/ 6/10
This is a crying shame. We should carry out those huge union signs in front of the white house. SHAME ON OBAMA :: ANTI-COMPETITIVE DISPUTE
hollowtek says:
12:13 PM, 03/ 6/10
This is a crying shame. We should carry out those huge union signs in front of the white house. SHAME ON OBAMA :: ANTI-COMPETITIVE DISPUTE