As the Toyota Story unfolds, and new chapters are added on a daily basis, a central plot to the story continues to emerge. The plot includes elements of cover-up, deceipt and lack good judgement. Okay, really bad judgement. When one thinks about it, this story is filled with intrigue, surprises, money and of course, a world-class cast. And most importantly, the story has gone viral, and is spreading like wildfire. The publicity at times has overshadowed the Superbowl, and the upcoming Winter Olympics. It is a story with staying power!!!
It’s a story where the main character, Toyota Motor Company no longer lived its values, which made it strong in the beginning. It’s a story where silent problems (problems that are being avoided, neglected or going unnoticed) became embedded in the organization, and it became a slippery slope to disaster. It’s a story that will teach others many important lessons, at least to those that are watching.
Although the Toyota story isn’t a movie script, it could be. For instance today, an article over at the Huffington Post writes about Toyota’s Silent Problems, and how they kept them from being exposed. Here is an excerpt.
The recall of nearly 8 million Toyota vehicles was years in the making and was complicated by excuses offered to regulators and by delay tactics employed by Toyota, according to several news reports this morning.
Toyota’s relationship with industry regulators, as The New York Times, was a “kabuki dance” that even involved an unprecedented trip to Japan by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Secretary Ray LaHood. Toyota execs were reportedly “dragging things out” and “offering excuses that didn’t make any sense.” puts it
Worse, the problems with the accelerators in Toyota vehicles were first spotted in 2003
As we look back at the Toyota story, one has to wonder why, which leads me to a favorite.
There’s a difference between truth and fiction. Fiction has to make sense.
And somehow, I think this states it all. Toyota has experienced a Humpty-Dumpty moment and only time will tell whether all of the pieces can be put back together.
Tags: Silent Problems, Toyota, Toyota quality, Toyota's problems
[...] Today found this great post, here is a quick excerpt : Although the Toyota story isn’t a movie script, it could be. For instance today, an article over at the Huffington Post writes about Toyota’s Silent Problems, and how they kept them from being exposed. Here is an excerpt. … Read the rest of this great post Here [...]
My 2009 RAV4 has accelerated wildly while on cruise control. It is NOT a gas pedal problem. Toyota needs to go back to the software and electronics to fix this issue. They also need to return to prototype testing instead of the computer modeling they are using in order to get product out the door faster. They got away from the Toyota Way, and it doesn’t work.
Rod, Toyota has a lot of egg on their face and I believe yesterday’s testimony in front fo the congressional panel is revealing when Jim Lentz stated they couldn’t rule out problems with their electronics. Toyota’s advertisements relating to “fixing the problem” are looking pretty shallow right now. And thanks for your comment.
I had a 1985 Toyota for several years…….Once when I was driving on a side street comming up on a stop sign I went to step on the brake and the engine reved and I had to stand on the brake……I did get it to stop at the intersection but the engine was still reving…..I am sure this problem has been going on for a very long time and it may actually have to do with the brake and not the excelerator…..I’m not a mecanic but It freaked me out and there really has to be a major problem there
Deanna, thanks for stopping by. What you experienced is interesting because its like all of these Toyota accelerator problems are now coming out of the closet. This is a good thing.