The most recent auto scandal to note would be the crisis with Toyota. Complaints have been filed my customers with issues that there has been sudden acceleration of vehicles, issues with brakes, and steering problems. This has created uncertainty as to whether or not Toyota is maintaining its image for building reliable cars. Concern has also stemmed from Toyota’s corporate response stating that these problems are due to driver error. In fact, this was a fallacy and there were in fact mechanical errors with the vehicles that Toyota was manufacturing. Toyota’s denial of these issues demonstrates that they did not take full responsibility for the safety of their products.
Consumers were weary of buying Toyota vehicles because of the response given by Toyota when this issue became public. To retain as many clients at possible, Toyota had major advertisement campaigns showing customers’ loyalty to their products and their commitment to producing cars with care. While this has become a quite famous example of a company acting unethically, consumers have accepted the fact that Toyota admitted to the mistake after serious consequences and is now doing everything in its power to deliver customer satisfaction.
Toyota is dedicated, “To attract and attain customers with high-valued products and services and the most satisfying ownership experience in America.” I believe that the rough patches that Toyota has experienced lately will ultimately not alter future sales of their cars because they have had a historically strong reputation for building dependable vehicles. I am sure that they will remain successful and respected in America and they will continue to be one of the best top selling brands of automobiles in the U.S.
I think it was bad enough that Toyota knowingly sold cars with mechanical problems, but I was shocked that they would lie and say that it was the driver's fault. I hope they didn't calculate that a massive recall and public distrust is cheaper than fixing the brakes. I think Toyota's reputation took a big hit, which helped American auto companies to make a come back. Many consumers bought Japanese cars because they were considered to be more reliable than American cars. I think this incident will have a lasting negative effect on Toyota for many years.
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