A few months ago, Toyota was one of the most trusted names in the automobile industry. Now, the once reliable automobile maker hangs its head in shame. When the news broke about the sticking accelerator in many of Toyota's most popular models, people panicked. They also began to ask questions; "Is my car safe?" "Can I get this problem fixed?""How come I have never heard of this problem before?" These questions, along with the fact that they addressed the problem fixing them, has led to the once brilliant name of Toyota to be questioned by the public. In recent years, millions of Americans have decided to go foreign when buying their cars. Foreign automobiles have always been cheaper, cleaner, and more fuel efficient than American cars. In light of recent events, many Americans are heading back to their roots of buying American made cars. Is it time Americans buy what they build? It isn't that they had a malfunctioning device in their car. What led to the downfall of the automobile giant is how long they decided to hold out information from the public. A recall could have been issued immediately and the problem could have been fixed. Although this was one of the largest recalls ever, it was still a bigger problem that they didn't tackle the problem instantly. By holding out on the recall, their trustworthy name was tarnished. The way Toyota handled the recall was another problem. Many dealerships would not comment on the problem, nor they did want to fix it. When customers called them to check if their cars were safe to drive, customers were faced with redundant answers and endless waiting. Backlash might not stop with Toyota, it might also extend to other foreign carmakers as well. They could very well be a gateway for scrutiny against other foreign -made cars. Lexus, also owned by Toyota, has recalled its HS model for the same reason as the Prius models: faulty braking. Lexus is still a very popular brand by itself, and like Toyota, Lexus had a very trustworthy name. Although this was a major problem for Toyota, it also showed their vulnerability and it will teach them how to fix their problems. They now see how and how not to deal with problems. The recall was a wake-up call for the auto-maker and they will now make newer and safer models than ever before. By seeing their past flaws, they can build themselves back up stronger than ever. There recovery will not come overnight. It could take years and dozens of new and improved models to bring the company back to its throne once again. If Toyota manufactures new cars that have an advantage over other industries, the recovery time might lessen. They also have one of the largest loyal customer fan bases across the globe. Their reputation might have been dented in the American market, but their loyalty is still prevalent in foreign countries, especially in Japan. Toyota owners shouldn't worry. They should get the problem fixed and check back with them. The road to recovery will be a long journey, but this recall was just a speed bump in Toyota's reliable history.
Toyota's future still remains strong
Published: Thursday, February 18, 2010
Updated: Monday, August 30, 2010 17:08
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