This is the question millions of Toyota owners and prospective owners are asking themselves today. And this is the question that will determine how quickly or if Toyota emerges from their current image, quality and PR problem in tact, or in taters. Here are just a few of the “Can Toyota be trusted” questions people are currently asking.
- Can Toyota be trusted to design and build a quality car? Probably yes.
- Can Toyota be trusted to have their customer’s interest in mind once they have purchased a Toyota? Maybe.
- Can Toyota be trust to divulge any other quality/safety issues they may be withholding? Don’t know.
- Can Toyota be trusted to have customer safety as their No. 1 concern going forward? Too early to tell.
- Can Toyota be trusted to resolve this current crisis, or is there more to come? That’s a big unknown.
The reason these “Can Toyota be trusted…” questions are important relates to Toyota’s future success or failure. As I read countless news articles relating to Toyota’s problems, it apparent that current Toyota customers fall into 3-categories.
- Faithful Toyota Followers: This group love their Toyota’s, and the many years of dependability, quality and service they have grown to love. This group likely comprises upwards of 50 - 60% of all current Toyota owners.
- Concerned Toyota Owners: This group loved their Toyota, but aren’t quite sure what to think now and they’re concerned. They’re asking the question, “Can Toyota be trusted…” This group likely comprises 20-30% of Toyota owners.
- Discouraged Toyota Owners: This group feels they’ve been betrayed. They’re reading the news reports and are concerned and possibly frightened. They don’t feel like Toyota has been true to the image they portrayed. This group comprises 10-20% of Toyota owners, and is growing.
Toyota’s “Can you be Trusted” challenge is the one question few market analyst’s are asking relative to Toyota’s future. It is the one question that only time will tell. At the very least, 10-20% of current Toyota owners are at risk. How Toyota addresses “Can Toyota be trusted” customer concerns going forward is critically important in the outcome. At this point however, they have given numerous reasons why “Toyota can’t be trusted.” At the curret pace of events, Toyota could easily become another GM unless they change their ways.
Tags: can Toyota be trusted, Silent Problems, toyota can't be trusted, Toyota quality, Toyota recalls
