protectionist b.s.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100203/ts_alt_afp/japanusautocompanyrecalltoyota_20100203001517

"US chides Toyota over recall"

this is back-door protectionist political bullshit.

fact: ford, bmw, and others have all had throttle sensor problems, and
in much greater numbers than toyota.

fact: the media has all but ignored it.

here we are, hot on the heels of political dismay at the unconsidered
consequences of their ridiculous "cash for clunkers" program benefiting
manufacturers of fuel efficient cars, not domestic gas guzzlers, being
subjected to politically motivated hysterical xenophobia.

fact: toyota sells better, more fuel efficient, safer, more reliable
vehicles using american parts and american labor than domestics
assembling their carp from the chinese componentry they import.

if toyota needs to learn a lesson from this fiasco, it's that they need
to show up in washington and hand over their lobbying cash like detroit
does, not be politically naive and simply rely on selling superior product.

 

Well said.

Al Moodie

 

You were right to begin with .... b.s.

 

Take a pill, relax.


("It's only Chinatown")

 

Currently Toyota accounts for 41% of all unintended acceleration incidents.
Ford accounts for 28%. Both Toyota and Ford have about a 16% market share
apiece.

GM and Chrysler have UA numbers smaller than their market shares. I don't
know the exact number.

 

Another take on all this:
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2010/02/03/george-jonas-toyota-s-sticky-situation.aspx
The author is a private pilot, and has raced motorcycles for
many years. He has some knowledge of machinery.

 

From your mouth, to God's ears.

Ever drive in Arizona?

 

Good reference that amplifies the need to educate drivers as to
emergency procedures common to all vehicles.

As a licensed pilot, a lot of this is incorporated in training.

As a certified SCUBA diver, a lot of this is incorporated in training.

I have long advocated that getting a driver's license should encompass
more than parallel parking etc. Everyone behind the wheel should be
aware of automotive basics as well as driving technique. That includes
emergency responses to sudden life threatening events.

Further, cars have become far too complex for what they are expected to
deliver. Airplanes go through strict regimens of maintenance while cars
don't. Yet both approach each other with regard the degree of operating
complexity.

Simply put, a substantial number of people behind the wheel just don't
belong there...

JT

 

Flaw-duh?

 

They vote, too.

 

Go you youtube and look up "What Old People Do For Fun"

 

Yup. I still say Arizona. With Ohio not far behind.

 

In the local paper a couple days ago, a 79 year old women crashed into a
veterinarian's office claiming that the gas pedal on her new Toyota stuck.
The dealer found nothing wrong with the car. With that story in the paper
were reports of drivers complaining to the local Toyota dealer that they
received speeding tickets because of "stuck" pedals. And so it has begun.
And yet much more to come.

 

WOW! I AGREE WITH JIM BEAM!!! <thud!>

Well said. Add to that the public likes to see the Big Dog take a stumble.
If you want some real heartburn, watch how Brian Williams on NBC is going
after Toyota...er...full throttle.

 

Keep in mind that there have been exactly twelve (12) confirmed incidents
of actual stuck gas pedals on Toyotas since October. Worldwide. Over 2.3
million vehicles.

That's 0.00052%, in case anybody's counting.

 

That is well within any reasonable sample of defects for the NASA space
program parts!!!

THIS has been wildly overblown. BUT....Toyota has been up to the
challenge. They will have it fixed. The Toyota vehicles will be better
than the space shuttle after all is said and done.
--

 

Wasn't Brian Williams part of the "Exploding Chevy Trucks Fiasco"? Oh, no he
wasn't. I remember now, that was Stone(d) Phillips...Too bad....

DaveD

 

snip

but the media loves this crap. weepy victims on the news.
remember Audi?
the media trotted out driver after driver claiming their cars were the
devil after having killed a family member.
in the end - all the drivers were at fault for pressing the throttle
instead of the brake.

I'm sure we'll hear from the idiot Sienna driver who is positive her
minivan crashed into another vehicle while she had her foot on the
brake. Just like all those Audi drivers from years ago.

"This is like deja vu all over again." - Yogi Berra

 

According to todays Tribune Newspapers, the Chairman of the House Oversight
Committee is stating Toyota will be asked about runaways problems with the
Tacoma truck.

The NHTSA has received over 100 complaints about sudden uncontrolled
accelerations problem on the Tacoma, their truck that does NOT use the same
pedal assembly as the other recalled Toyotas.

The article also refers to Japans Transport Ministry releasing that their
have been numerous complaints about "braking problems" with NEW generation
Prius. Toyota admits they are addressing braking problems in previous
Prius models but they are "unaware" of problems in the NEW generation Prius.

The ever growing issue over sudden uncontrolled acceleration in most every
type of Toyota vehicle is having a sensitizing effect on consumers around
the world and Toyotas confusing responses are not helping the situation.
Curious ah?

 

It appears Toyota need someone with computer knowledge, not mechanics, since
models with the FBY system are also presenting, with a SPEEDING up problem,
not mealy staying at a set speed, as would indicate a mechanical problem.