Toyota Tundra woes "shame" automaker
The corporate culture that has charged Toyota's ascendance in the automotive world isn't without its pitfalls. Pride in quality products has driven the automaker for decades and the recent spate of issues with the Tundra – from snapping camshafts, cracking tailgates and faulty torque converters – is making Toyota executives realize that exponential growth is not without its pains.
Speaking with Automotive News at the Tokyo Motor Show, ToMoCo's global manufacturing exec admitted that problems with the automaker's full-size pickup have caused "shame" within the company. Takeshi Uchiyamada cited the rapid expansion of Toyota's production facilities, increased sales and issues with new products as being the major dilemmas facing the automaker, but that all these problems are being addressed. Recognizing the issue is half the battle, but time will tell whether or not Toyota's break-neck pace will continue to hamper the Japanese firm's growth.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
k.w.a 9:39AM (11/05/2007)
I don't think this will ruin Toyota's reputation. Unless the newscasters beat this issue to death and blame ALL toyotas for this ( like they did with domestics) I don't see Toyota being knocked off its pedestal.
The truck segment is the only segment Toyota doesn't dominate in. The Domestics still offer the best selling trucks, so these quality complaints are more like warning shots to Toyota rather than silver bullets.
If Camrys start having reported problems, or if the media does a good enough job blanketing these reports over all of Toyota, this could potentially be its downfall...but i doubt it
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Shawn 9:48AM (11/05/2007)
"If Camrys start having reported problems..." You mean like dead transmissions, engine sludge and all that? LOL
MoonRover 12:59PM (11/05/2007)
"IF" the camrys start having problems, they have as many or more problems than the Tundra. In fact every single vehicle Toyota makes is having quality problems, I wouldn't touch a Toyota product with a 10 foot pole.
MoonRover 12:59PM (11/05/2007)
"IF" the camrys start having problems, they have as many or more problems than the Tundra. In fact every single vehicle Toyota makes is having quality problems, I wouldn't touch a Toyota product with a 10 foot pole.
Menice 9:48AM (11/05/2007)
have caused "shame" within the company.
over there, I think that means someone's getting executed.
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srivendel 10:16AM (11/05/2007)
You're an idiot. Japan is not China.
Menice 10:28AM (11/05/2007)
name calling is grounds for BAN.
I was kidding you Stupid TOOL.
500 12:18PM (11/05/2007)
Menice, you need to study Japanese history. Obviously someone's going to have to commit hara-kiri for this. No wonder so many executives are fleeing Toyota! :-o
naggs 3:38PM (11/05/2007)
there is no doubt heads will roll (metaphorically speaking)
naggs 3:39PM (11/05/2007)
there is no doubt heads will roll (metaphorically speaking)
John P. 9:50AM (11/05/2007)
It'll take years of this for Toyota to feel the effects. They have alot of time to turn these current issues around before it hurts the bottom line in a big way.
That being said, GM and Ford's quality is quickly approaching, and in some cases exceeding that of Toyota's. Likewise, it'll take years of this before the general public finds out. All it would take is one or two trumped up media bash fests, like they did with Audi and the sudden acceleration, and Ford with the Firestone tire thing to bring the whole thing down again. The great Toyota keeps getting a pass, for the time being.
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Mr. Oak 11:02AM (11/05/2007)
"It'll take years of this for Toyota to feel the effects. They have alot of time to turn these current issues around before it hurts the bottom line in a big way."
Actually this will not take years to bring them down, the Internet is a very powerful to and news spreads quickly. Also, you cannot beat word of mouth. Just the other day, someone whom I respected, was about to buy a new car, Camry was options 1 & 2, Hyundai 3. Was burned by Honda twice before, so they were not an option. I just merely told them to do more industry research. Did not make any recommendations. She came back with a Buick Lucern.
John P. 11:18AM (11/05/2007)
I hope you are right Mr. Oak. Hope she enjoys her Lucerne. While I haven't driven one, it does look pretty darn good.
naggs 3:41PM (11/05/2007)
its true, information spreads a lot faster than it did 4 or 5 years ago
RicardoHead 9:54AM (11/05/2007)
Are we gonna get some Hari Kari on youtube - it's a matter of pride!
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paul34 2:41PM (11/05/2007)
This video has been removed due to a copyright claim by TOYOTA INTERNATIONAL
Alex 9:54AM (11/05/2007)
funny how it takes years and decades to build up a reputation for quality and reliability and months to completely crush it.
I don't think this will hamper toyota too much. but they do need to resolve the issue quickly and keep it from coming back.
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wrussi 9:59AM (11/05/2007)
what toyota needs to do is fix the issues they are having and make sure the media knows and publishes that they have fixed their issues.
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k.w.a 10:05AM (11/05/2007)
-Shawn
Thats why i made sure to say "reported" They dont talk much about Toyota's sludge problem outside of Autoblog.
Unless toyota shuts these people up by quickly and quietly fixing the problem, like most of you said, the media will rip them apart in a couple of years
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Shawn 10:30AM (11/05/2007)
Really? Because I can swear that I read many reports of it in main stream media along with Camry's famous transmission problems.
Sure these things weren't reported when they first popped up, but now Toyota is no longer the darling of the main stream media, these things are regularly reported.