Someone e-mailed me an update on this crash, their remarks offer insight into what's going on:
Believe Toyota (and the rental and insurance companies) did not want a public trial shining light on the embedded software, especially within the braking system which was acknowledged to have issues in earlier model Prius vehicles. (obviously, it still is not reliable - and where is NHTSA?)
And of course the public is still kept in the dark concerning the real issues involved. No statement made as to WHY the driver was not charged, except some public fluff.
L.A. police KNOW (but will not publicly acknowledge) what the real cause was. The Prius itself.
Had an example from some years ago (sadly lost when my first computer died), where a Toyota or Lexus driver had a Sudden Unintended Acceleration event while parking in front of a small store in the L.A. area; and the vehicle went partially through the front window.
When the L.A. police showed up and the driver explained what had happened, their response was essentially (using almost the exact same words) "we know"... At least in L.A., THEY KNOW (wish I could find it again).
Trolls and the (less than knowledgeable) public will have a field day complaining online as to WHY a driver was allowed to hit and seriously injure school girls, yet not be charged.
Notice, even in this article, the complete lack of information on the current condition of those injured.
This driver was lucky not to be charged. Drivers in similar situations have not been so fortunate.
Showing posts with label problems with Prius. Show all posts
Showing posts with label problems with Prius. Show all posts
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Friday, February 21, 2014
Software-related recalls, police-state press, federal criminal investigation being bought off
No wonder renowned software expert Michael Barr found bugs in Toyota's software causing sudden unintended acceleration. Toyota's latest recalls involve defective software in the Prius, RAV4, Tacoma, and Lexus RX350. Some of the software issues affect anti-lock brakes, stability control, and traction control. Meanwhile, Toyota is in talks with NHTSA regarding another recall involving computer-related brake problems in Camry Hybrids. Software glitches galore. Whew.
Sayin' Recall King Toyota is now in "settlement mode" is an understatement. Toyota is apparently on the verge of forkin' over sumpthin' in the range of a billion dollars to put an end to the federal criminal investigation - begun four years ago - into Toyota's reporting procedures - or the lack thereof - regarding sudden unintended acceleration.
Actions speak louder than words. After the guilty verdict in the Oklahoma sudden unintended acceleration case, the Recall King rushes into court seeking a "global" settlement for hundreds of remaining civil suits involving sudden unintended acceleration. And now there's this sudden interest in concluding the federal criminal investigation involving not only reporting procedures, but also such niceties as lying to Congress, mail fraud, wire fraud, and whether stockholders were misled. Of course, mainstream media reports regarding another billion dollar settlement carefully omit any mention of Michael Barr findings, and Reuters banned me from commenting - on any of their articles - long ago.
It looks like Toyota will again be permitted to settle up without any troublesome guilty pleas or admitting to any wrongdoing. Might as well go all the way if yer gonna let someone buy their way out of a criminal investigation. And the issue of ongoing instances of sudden unintended acceleration - have software revisions, safeguards, etc. been put in place? - is being buried along with Michael Barr's findings. Amidst a barrage of misleading media reports, I applaud Mr. Barr for setting the record straight - especially insofar as the much ballyhooed "NASA investigation" is concerned - by publishing an update regarding Toyota's sudden unintended acceleration issue. As he points out, reports of sudden unintended acceleration in Toyotas are continuing.
Really, folks. If Toyota behaves in such a manner regarding undisputed safety issues, how have they been behaving about such things as oil-sludged engines and those pesky pre-cat problems - costing customers the better part of $10,000 - in MR2 Spyders? There's been a news blackout for years regarding thousands of signatures petitioning Akio to make amends for unresolved oil sludge issues.
Why should anyone be allowed to buy their way out of a criminal investigation? Mainstream media efforts to mislead the public about Toyota are poppin' up everywhere, with glaring omissions about the evidence Michael Barr found that led to the billion dollar Toyota economic loss settlement in December of 2012 - the largest such settlement in automotive history - and the guilty verdict last October in the sudden unintended acceleration case in Oklahoma. Revelations regarding the findings of an internationally acclaimed software expert (along with any mention of that pesky evidence of 150 feet of skid marks from the Oklahoma plaintiff's tires) are left to casual bloggers, trade journals, and a few comments on the Internet.
A prime example of the kinda sheer hogwash bein' bandied about by mainstream media is this putrid peice of "journalism" by Forbes staffer Daniel Fisher. What's "begged" is the question, "Do we really want to tolerate a corporate-controlled media instead of a free press?" Fisher n Forbes - "a jury's whim" indeed - don't dare discuss Michael Barr's findings. Not even a mention of his name. In the comments - at least they let me join in - I was "called out" by Mr. Fisher for referring to Mr. Barr's findings and the ongoing news blackout. Certainly better than the reaction I got from USA Today and Bloomberg. Bloomberg n USA Today simply removed my comment. Whenever I put the cursor in the comment box on USA Today's website, the word "false" would briefly appear. I encountered similar things years ago on Twitter when I started sending out tweets critical of Toyota.
Don't view this YouTube video on a full stomach if you're aware of Michael Barr's recent findings. Fox News' "interview" is repulsively theatrical, aimed at making the public think there's no evidence of bugs in Toyota's software causing sudden unintended acceleration.
Take a close look at what Michael Barr has to say about his findings, and check out his credentials. Is anyone surprised that Toyota is runnin' scared?
Sayin' Recall King Toyota is now in "settlement mode" is an understatement. Toyota is apparently on the verge of forkin' over sumpthin' in the range of a billion dollars to put an end to the federal criminal investigation - begun four years ago - into Toyota's reporting procedures - or the lack thereof - regarding sudden unintended acceleration.
Actions speak louder than words. After the guilty verdict in the Oklahoma sudden unintended acceleration case, the Recall King rushes into court seeking a "global" settlement for hundreds of remaining civil suits involving sudden unintended acceleration. And now there's this sudden interest in concluding the federal criminal investigation involving not only reporting procedures, but also such niceties as lying to Congress, mail fraud, wire fraud, and whether stockholders were misled. Of course, mainstream media reports regarding another billion dollar settlement carefully omit any mention of Michael Barr findings, and Reuters banned me from commenting - on any of their articles - long ago.
It looks like Toyota will again be permitted to settle up without any troublesome guilty pleas or admitting to any wrongdoing. Might as well go all the way if yer gonna let someone buy their way out of a criminal investigation. And the issue of ongoing instances of sudden unintended acceleration - have software revisions, safeguards, etc. been put in place? - is being buried along with Michael Barr's findings. Amidst a barrage of misleading media reports, I applaud Mr. Barr for setting the record straight - especially insofar as the much ballyhooed "NASA investigation" is concerned - by publishing an update regarding Toyota's sudden unintended acceleration issue. As he points out, reports of sudden unintended acceleration in Toyotas are continuing.
Really, folks. If Toyota behaves in such a manner regarding undisputed safety issues, how have they been behaving about such things as oil-sludged engines and those pesky pre-cat problems - costing customers the better part of $10,000 - in MR2 Spyders? There's been a news blackout for years regarding thousands of signatures petitioning Akio to make amends for unresolved oil sludge issues.
Why should anyone be allowed to buy their way out of a criminal investigation? Mainstream media efforts to mislead the public about Toyota are poppin' up everywhere, with glaring omissions about the evidence Michael Barr found that led to the billion dollar Toyota economic loss settlement in December of 2012 - the largest such settlement in automotive history - and the guilty verdict last October in the sudden unintended acceleration case in Oklahoma. Revelations regarding the findings of an internationally acclaimed software expert (along with any mention of that pesky evidence of 150 feet of skid marks from the Oklahoma plaintiff's tires) are left to casual bloggers, trade journals, and a few comments on the Internet.
A prime example of the kinda sheer hogwash bein' bandied about by mainstream media is this putrid peice of "journalism" by Forbes staffer Daniel Fisher. What's "begged" is the question, "Do we really want to tolerate a corporate-controlled media instead of a free press?" Fisher n Forbes - "a jury's whim" indeed - don't dare discuss Michael Barr's findings. Not even a mention of his name. In the comments - at least they let me join in - I was "called out" by Mr. Fisher for referring to Mr. Barr's findings and the ongoing news blackout. Certainly better than the reaction I got from USA Today and Bloomberg. Bloomberg n USA Today simply removed my comment. Whenever I put the cursor in the comment box on USA Today's website, the word "false" would briefly appear. I encountered similar things years ago on Twitter when I started sending out tweets critical of Toyota.
Don't view this YouTube video on a full stomach if you're aware of Michael Barr's recent findings. Fox News' "interview" is repulsively theatrical, aimed at making the public think there's no evidence of bugs in Toyota's software causing sudden unintended acceleration.
Take a close look at what Michael Barr has to say about his findings, and check out his credentials. Is anyone surprised that Toyota is runnin' scared?
Thursday, February 13, 2014
What you aren't supposed to know about Toyota's software (and hardware) causing sudden unintended acceleration
"Although the investigation focused almost entirely on software, there is at least one HW factor: Toyota claimed the 2005 Camry's main CPU had error detecting and correcting (EDAC) RAM. It didn't. EDAC, or at least parity RAM, is relatively easy and low-cost insurance for safety-critical systems." Michael Dunn, "Toyota's killer firmware: Bad design and its consequences"
Amidst computer-related problems galore prompting this week's recalls (Prius along with a number of other models), there's a few articles from Michael Barr's peers providing a detailed look at why the Oklahoma jury was justified in returning a verdict of guilty in what's now being referred to as a "landmark" case of sudden unintended acceleration, and why the jury underscored their conclusion by stating that Toyota acted with "reckless disregard" in its response to its electronic throttle control. Michael Barr's findings were corroborated by 150 feet of skid marks from Bookout's tires.
One of the best peer-group articles I found is "Toyota's killer firmware: Bad design and its consequences," by Michael Dunn. I'll call it article A. Further revelations can be expected at the upcoming EE Times conference which will feature presentations - including the keynote address - from Michael Barr himself.
It's downright alarming to compare article A (from EDN Network) with the presstitute media's misleading blabber, epitomized by Paul Barrett's hack job via no less of a media mogul than Bloomberg. I'll call that piece article B. Both articles came out shortly after the Oklahoma trial ended.
The Barrett/Bloomberg blabber is precisely that. No mention of the name Michael Barr. A feigned ignorance of those 150 feet of skid marks from Bookout's tires. Gibberish designed to brainwash rather than inform. "Should judges be allowing plaintiffs' lawyers to continue pressing the issue in court?" opines the mogul-backed Barrett. Pure, unadulterated garbage.
Problem is, it's not just Barrett and Bloomberg protecting the Recall King at the public's expense. It's the entire mainstream media gang. The kinda stuff that prompted former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Dr. Paul Craig Roberts to remark that "Anyone who wastes their time on the US media is a brainwashed idiot, a danger to humanity." (see "America Totally Discredited") For some strange reason, Bloomberg, Reuters, USA Today, and Minnesota's Star Tribune block my comments.
Compare the two articles. Get a proper perspective on Toyota's current rush to settle hundreds of remaining cases outside of court. Discern Toyota's underlying motive in buying their way out of the current federal criminal investigation as to how they handled complaints of sudden unintended acceleration. Get a firsthand look at how the U.S. media accomplishes mass indoctrination.
Blaming sudden unintended acceleration on driver error, floor mats, etc. is a well-orchestrated scam that's been goin' on for decades. Published after the landmark trial in Oklahoma, Tom Murray brings us up to date - including the government's longstanding efforts to protect the auto industry - in his 11/27/2013 book, "Deadly by Design." For another informative read, check out "The Myth of Driver Error."
The "land of the free" has become a corporate-controlled nightmare.
Amidst computer-related problems galore prompting this week's recalls (Prius along with a number of other models), there's a few articles from Michael Barr's peers providing a detailed look at why the Oklahoma jury was justified in returning a verdict of guilty in what's now being referred to as a "landmark" case of sudden unintended acceleration, and why the jury underscored their conclusion by stating that Toyota acted with "reckless disregard" in its response to its electronic throttle control. Michael Barr's findings were corroborated by 150 feet of skid marks from Bookout's tires.
One of the best peer-group articles I found is "Toyota's killer firmware: Bad design and its consequences," by Michael Dunn. I'll call it article A. Further revelations can be expected at the upcoming EE Times conference which will feature presentations - including the keynote address - from Michael Barr himself.
It's downright alarming to compare article A (from EDN Network) with the presstitute media's misleading blabber, epitomized by Paul Barrett's hack job via no less of a media mogul than Bloomberg. I'll call that piece article B. Both articles came out shortly after the Oklahoma trial ended.
The Barrett/Bloomberg blabber is precisely that. No mention of the name Michael Barr. A feigned ignorance of those 150 feet of skid marks from Bookout's tires. Gibberish designed to brainwash rather than inform. "Should judges be allowing plaintiffs' lawyers to continue pressing the issue in court?" opines the mogul-backed Barrett. Pure, unadulterated garbage.
Problem is, it's not just Barrett and Bloomberg protecting the Recall King at the public's expense. It's the entire mainstream media gang. The kinda stuff that prompted former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Dr. Paul Craig Roberts to remark that "Anyone who wastes their time on the US media is a brainwashed idiot, a danger to humanity." (see "America Totally Discredited") For some strange reason, Bloomberg, Reuters, USA Today, and Minnesota's Star Tribune block my comments.
Compare the two articles. Get a proper perspective on Toyota's current rush to settle hundreds of remaining cases outside of court. Discern Toyota's underlying motive in buying their way out of the current federal criminal investigation as to how they handled complaints of sudden unintended acceleration. Get a firsthand look at how the U.S. media accomplishes mass indoctrination.
Blaming sudden unintended acceleration on driver error, floor mats, etc. is a well-orchestrated scam that's been goin' on for decades. Published after the landmark trial in Oklahoma, Tom Murray brings us up to date - including the government's longstanding efforts to protect the auto industry - in his 11/27/2013 book, "Deadly by Design." For another informative read, check out "The Myth of Driver Error."
The "land of the free" has become a corporate-controlled nightmare.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Toyota gets another cozy deal from NHTSA
"The fine, announced Tuesday, is a tiny fraction of Toyota’s earnings... Toyota said it agreed to pay the penalty without admitting any violation of the law."
Toyota's friends at NHTSA have once again given the automaker a lashing with a wet noodle. Yet another safety-related defect, another delay in reporting, and another cozy deal for the Recall King. Ah, those never-ending recalls, along with evidence raising questions of a coverup...
"The latest infraction raises questions about whether the fines are big enough to deter automakers that withhold information from NHTSA, and whether the government agency can do enough to stop repeat offenses."
Indeed.
Isn't it ridiculous that our government allows Toyota to kick consumers around in the interests of corporate greed? Grovels on its knees before a miscreant corporation and tries to mesmerize the taxpaying public with meaningless numbers instead of meaningful fines. I've held firm in my conviction - expressed elsewhere in this blog - that NHTSA is a sham, interested primarily in protecting corrupt corporate interests, and time is certainly bearing witness to my claim.
Toyota's safety-related defects (the definition of which, as I've previously pointed out, are strictly limited) have been coming to light in such a fast and furious manner that its hard to keep up with the Recall King's latest claim to fame. In November, it was a worldwide recall for a water pump and - of all things - a steering issue, both affecting Toyota's much ballyhooed Prius. And the "punishment" now referenced is not for Toyota's most recent, mind-boggling safety recall. I blogged about that one, and we're still waiting - with bated breath - to see whether government will once again step forth, landing blow after blow with that dreaded wet noodle.
Update, 12/30/2012 - Just a reminder that administrators with the car club Spyderchat.com have contacted - to no avail - appropriate government agencies about all those engine failures in MR-2 Spyders. Not that taxpayers are gettin' a federal runaround, or anything like that.
Update 12/30/2012 - Best I can tell, a link to this post was censored from appearing in Facebook's Public Posts.
Toyota's friends at NHTSA have once again given the automaker a lashing with a wet noodle. Yet another safety-related defect, another delay in reporting, and another cozy deal for the Recall King. Ah, those never-ending recalls, along with evidence raising questions of a coverup...
"The latest infraction raises questions about whether the fines are big enough to deter automakers that withhold information from NHTSA, and whether the government agency can do enough to stop repeat offenses."
Indeed.
Isn't it ridiculous that our government allows Toyota to kick consumers around in the interests of corporate greed? Grovels on its knees before a miscreant corporation and tries to mesmerize the taxpaying public with meaningless numbers instead of meaningful fines. I've held firm in my conviction - expressed elsewhere in this blog - that NHTSA is a sham, interested primarily in protecting corrupt corporate interests, and time is certainly bearing witness to my claim.
Toyota's safety-related defects (the definition of which, as I've previously pointed out, are strictly limited) have been coming to light in such a fast and furious manner that its hard to keep up with the Recall King's latest claim to fame. In November, it was a worldwide recall for a water pump and - of all things - a steering issue, both affecting Toyota's much ballyhooed Prius. And the "punishment" now referenced is not for Toyota's most recent, mind-boggling safety recall. I blogged about that one, and we're still waiting - with bated breath - to see whether government will once again step forth, landing blow after blow with that dreaded wet noodle.
Update, 12/30/2012 - Just a reminder that administrators with the car club Spyderchat.com have contacted - to no avail - appropriate government agencies about all those engine failures in MR-2 Spyders. Not that taxpayers are gettin' a federal runaround, or anything like that.
Update 12/30/2012 - Best I can tell, a link to this post was censored from appearing in Facebook's Public Posts.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Ruling supports plaintiffs re Prius brakes
Call 'em Priuses, Prii, or whatever you will (try Glitch-mobiles), but a class action lawsuit alleging defective brakes will proceed. The judge denied Toyota's request for a dismissal, and rightly so.
This lawsuit over Prius brakes stems from complaints galore, and alleges that Toyota knew about a defect years before the cars were recalled. Based on my experience, the allegations ring true. Even though the Internet is loaded with complaints of sudden engine failures in MR2 Spyders, Toyota refuses to acknowledge a defect, maintaining that the failures "could be caused by a number of things, such as not changing the oil at proper intervals." When I tried to discuss the postings from two major car clubs, Toyota's "customer loyalty" guy "didn't want to hear about all that." And NHTSA refuses to get involved because - thanks to lobbying efforts, no doubt - sudden engine failures such as those involving the MR2 Spyders are not considered a safety issue. Of course, this all goes hand in hand with blamin' the customer (sound familiar?), who winds up on the short side when it comes to having any practical recourse.
Like the lawsuit over Prius headlights, Toyota will probably settle this Prius brake case long before risking a jury decision. A jury is likely to look at the number of complaints, exercise a little common sense, and hand down a hefty tab for punitive damages.
What kind of company treats its customers in such a manner? And what kind of government lets 'em get away with it?
This lawsuit over Prius brakes stems from complaints galore, and alleges that Toyota knew about a defect years before the cars were recalled. Based on my experience, the allegations ring true. Even though the Internet is loaded with complaints of sudden engine failures in MR2 Spyders, Toyota refuses to acknowledge a defect, maintaining that the failures "could be caused by a number of things, such as not changing the oil at proper intervals." When I tried to discuss the postings from two major car clubs, Toyota's "customer loyalty" guy "didn't want to hear about all that." And NHTSA refuses to get involved because - thanks to lobbying efforts, no doubt - sudden engine failures such as those involving the MR2 Spyders are not considered a safety issue. Of course, this all goes hand in hand with blamin' the customer (sound familiar?), who winds up on the short side when it comes to having any practical recourse.
Like the lawsuit over Prius headlights, Toyota will probably settle this Prius brake case long before risking a jury decision. A jury is likely to look at the number of complaints, exercise a little common sense, and hand down a hefty tab for punitive damages.
What kind of company treats its customers in such a manner? And what kind of government lets 'em get away with it?
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Prius defect shows contempt for customers
No wonder Toyota's little Glitch-mobile has been unseated by Honda's Fit for the top spot in Japan. Part of the recent parade of Prius defects includes a troublesome tendency for the headlights to malfunction. Just imagine. There you are, goin' down the road at night when the thing suddenly accelerates, brakes fail, and the headlights go off. Okay. All three at the same time might be unlikely. Point is, Toyota's glitches seem to be catchin' up with the Recall King's sales, even on home turf.
But the finer point goes beyond lousy products. Toyota refuses to get it right when it comes to customer relations. Bad headlights - obviously bad based on the number of complaints to NHTSA - become the subject of a class action lawsuit instead of a good faith effort on the part of Toyota to correct the problem. Based on my experience with the Recall King, I wasn't surprised that customers were hassled at dealerships. Oh what a feeling...
Ah, the Toyota Way. Force folks to sue, then work out a settlement whereby Toyota avoids admitting that there was a defect. A jury never rules on the issue, and Toyota avoids a recall. Slick stuff. "Number One for a Reason" indeed.
http://www.toledoblade.com/article/20110121/BUSINESS02/101200355/-1/RSS04
But the finer point goes beyond lousy products. Toyota refuses to get it right when it comes to customer relations. Bad headlights - obviously bad based on the number of complaints to NHTSA - become the subject of a class action lawsuit instead of a good faith effort on the part of Toyota to correct the problem. Based on my experience with the Recall King, I wasn't surprised that customers were hassled at dealerships. Oh what a feeling...
Ah, the Toyota Way. Force folks to sue, then work out a settlement whereby Toyota avoids admitting that there was a defect. A jury never rules on the issue, and Toyota avoids a recall. Slick stuff. "Number One for a Reason" indeed.
http://www.toledoblade.com/article/20110121/BUSINESS02/101200355/-1/RSS04
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Toyota Prius best coined "GLITCH-mobile"
It was a cute little marketing ploy - presented not long before the North American International Auto Show - for GM's CEO to refer to Toyota's Prius as a "geek-mobile," touting it as no match for GM's new Volt. Gee. I certainly hope GM's new product is better than the Prius. Fact is, it wouldn't have to be all that great. A better nickname for Toyota's little wonder car would be "glitch-mobile," underscored by Toyota's latest Prius recall: 650,000 units to repair poorly designed water pumps, even though the Recall King says this wasn't actually a recall, blabbering something about customer satisfaction. Regarding "customer satisfaction," its interesting that the models with the botched water pumps are '04 thru '07. Given currently-charged-with-racketeering Toyota's reputation for being a bit slow to acknowledge defects, I can't help but wonder how long Toyota has known about these problems.
Lookin' over my blog posts concerning the Prius, its no wonder the things are not sellin' as well lately. Glitches galore. Acceleration problems, braking problems, headlight problems, and the list continues right up to the defective water pumps. Seems Toyota's discounts aren't workin' too well either...
Its a shame the media spotlight somehow keeps missin' all those engine failures in MR2 Spyders. Two major car clubs have been screamin' about the situation for years, along with consumers posting complaints all over the Internet. Wonder what other problems Toyota has been having - such as continuing problems with oil sludge - that the media has chosen to ignore?
Lookin' over my blog posts concerning the Prius, its no wonder the things are not sellin' as well lately. Glitches galore. Acceleration problems, braking problems, headlight problems, and the list continues right up to the defective water pumps. Seems Toyota's discounts aren't workin' too well either...
Its a shame the media spotlight somehow keeps missin' all those engine failures in MR2 Spyders. Two major car clubs have been screamin' about the situation for years, along with consumers posting complaints all over the Internet. Wonder what other problems Toyota has been having - such as continuing problems with oil sludge - that the media has chosen to ignore?
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Toyota dealer praises filthy video
Update: after public criticism, this Toyota dealer musta had second thoughts about his choice of advertising. The video no longer appears on his website.
Might oughta restrict the kids from checkin' out Toyota dealers' websites. Jon Lancaster Toyota in Madison, Wisconsin has a sales manager - Nathan Riesen - who lists as a "Favorite" the video of a face-masked-dressed-in-black character ranting, raving, and using not only four letter filth, but also profanity in a tirade against Prius drivers who don't shift into neutral when Toyota's little wonder car suddenly decides to take off. Not that most of us haven't used equally bad language in the heat of a moment. Its just that this video was carefully selected, labeled, and conspicuously marked with a red heart. Musta been love at first sight.
Actually, I wasn't all that surprised. Its certainly consistent with what I've experienced, and incidentally, Mr. Riesen is a "Certified Master Sales Consultant" and a "Sales Society Master." Nothin' like masterin' yer craft...
http://www.youtube.com/user/nateriesen
Might oughta restrict the kids from checkin' out Toyota dealers' websites. Jon Lancaster Toyota in Madison, Wisconsin has a sales manager - Nathan Riesen - who lists as a "Favorite" the video of a face-masked-dressed-in-black character ranting, raving, and using not only four letter filth, but also profanity in a tirade against Prius drivers who don't shift into neutral when Toyota's little wonder car suddenly decides to take off. Not that most of us haven't used equally bad language in the heat of a moment. Its just that this video was carefully selected, labeled, and conspicuously marked with a red heart. Musta been love at first sight.
Actually, I wasn't all that surprised. Its certainly consistent with what I've experienced, and incidentally, Mr. Riesen is a "Certified Master Sales Consultant" and a "Sales Society Master." Nothin' like masterin' yer craft...
http://www.youtube.com/user/nateriesen
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Is Akio the Prince... or the Godfather?
"Toyota President Akio Toyoda, known as 'the prince' in Japan..."
Prince or Godfather? The jury - federal grand - is still out on that one, but I'm leanin' toward the latter. As the death count increases, evidence points to hundreds of millions of dollars worth of sweetheart deals between Toyota and NHTSA, revolving doors resulting in blocked safety investigations, and the intentional witholding of stuff Toyota was legally required to release in accordance with lawsuits filed against them by crash victims. Big stuff. Stuff about vehicle design and testing, complete with out of court settlements motivated by a desire to keep incriminating information quiet. And just for good measure, the Securities and Exchange Commission has jumped into the fray, demanding to know more about what Toyota has been tellin' investors. Whew. That's enough to raise anyone's eyebrows.
Equally alarming - now that a few investigations are under way - it seems we're gettin' a daily dose of heretofore unheard of defects, along with downright unnerving accounts of NHTSA's response to consumer complaints. Even Apple's Steve Wozniak got the cold shoulder when he complained about sudden unintended acceleration in his Prius.
With sales a sufferin', Toyota is comin' up with better offers for customers affected by current recalls, and plans to offer some spectacular incentives to attract buyers. Okay. But somehow, this whole thing reminds me of a movie I once saw about a family run business that got its way by makin' offers people just couldn't refuse...
Prince or Godfather? The jury - federal grand - is still out on that one, but I'm leanin' toward the latter. As the death count increases, evidence points to hundreds of millions of dollars worth of sweetheart deals between Toyota and NHTSA, revolving doors resulting in blocked safety investigations, and the intentional witholding of stuff Toyota was legally required to release in accordance with lawsuits filed against them by crash victims. Big stuff. Stuff about vehicle design and testing, complete with out of court settlements motivated by a desire to keep incriminating information quiet. And just for good measure, the Securities and Exchange Commission has jumped into the fray, demanding to know more about what Toyota has been tellin' investors. Whew. That's enough to raise anyone's eyebrows.
Equally alarming - now that a few investigations are under way - it seems we're gettin' a daily dose of heretofore unheard of defects, along with downright unnerving accounts of NHTSA's response to consumer complaints. Even Apple's Steve Wozniak got the cold shoulder when he complained about sudden unintended acceleration in his Prius.
With sales a sufferin', Toyota is comin' up with better offers for customers affected by current recalls, and plans to offer some spectacular incentives to attract buyers. Okay. But somehow, this whole thing reminds me of a movie I once saw about a family run business that got its way by makin' offers people just couldn't refuse...
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Unintended acceleration: NHTSA knew in 2003
Revolving doors twixt NHTSA and Toyota, deals cut with so-called safety regulators savin' Toyota 'bout $100 million, and the wash gets dirtier by the day. Now, State Farm has changed its story regarding when they alerted NHTSA regarding unintended acceleration. Seems it was 2004 instead of 2007. Not to be outdone, ol' NHTSA has fired back that it started looking into things December of '03. Okay...
Question is, after they knew, what did they do? Well for one thing, they slammed the brakes on an investigation into consumer complaints of unintended acceleration in Toyota's 2006 and 2007 Tacoma trucks. And Apple's Steve Wozniak says he didn't get all that warm a reception either when he tried to alert NHTSA to unintended acceleration in his Prius. Actually, there have been horror stories galore from drivers of Toyota's little wonder car, and other models are also accused of takin' off the wrong way. After NHTSA was alerted to the problem, it denied at least four petitions from owners alleging unintended acceleration.
Heckuva job, Nitsuh.
Question is, after they knew, what did they do? Well for one thing, they slammed the brakes on an investigation into consumer complaints of unintended acceleration in Toyota's 2006 and 2007 Tacoma trucks. And Apple's Steve Wozniak says he didn't get all that warm a reception either when he tried to alert NHTSA to unintended acceleration in his Prius. Actually, there have been horror stories galore from drivers of Toyota's little wonder car, and other models are also accused of takin' off the wrong way. After NHTSA was alerted to the problem, it denied at least four petitions from owners alleging unintended acceleration.
Heckuva job, Nitsuh.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Government pressures Toyota to stop sales
Toyota's latest batch of recalls seems to be the ol' proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. Thanks to government pressure, Toyota has now stopped selling several of its most popular models, including its much ballyhooed Camry, Corolla, and RAV 4 crossover. Not that there's any connection, of course, but government intervention also coincided with a sudden stop in the production of these vehicles. If you ask me, Toyota oughta also quit exposin' the public to other models, startin' with the Prius. Better yet, why doesn't Toyota just do everyone a favor and close their lousy business down entirely? Apparently, the government was finally forced to act because of the horrific consequences of Toyota's defects, and the never ending barrage of consumer complaints, not only to government agencies such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but also complaints lodged all over the Internet via comments on numerous websites, an online petition signed by over three thousand desperate Toyota customers, and individual blogs devoted to exposing the truth.
There are costs involved with producing a quality product and then reimbursing customers when honest errors are made. But cuttin' such costs invariably turn out to be even more costly in the long run. The long "run" occurs when irrate customers get together and run offending businesses like Toyota clean out of town.
There are costs involved with producing a quality product and then reimbursing customers when honest errors are made. But cuttin' such costs invariably turn out to be even more costly in the long run. The long "run" occurs when irrate customers get together and run offending businesses like Toyota clean out of town.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
2010 Prius features brake failures galore
Yessir, Toyota's little wonder car is just flat out unstoppable. Their latest edition features horrifying accounts of brake failure so prevalent they've already gotten the attention of mainstream media. I reckon' them thar floor mats are actin' up again...
At Toyota, it seems that quality is job NONE.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34611930/ns/business-autos/
At Toyota, it seems that quality is job NONE.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34611930/ns/business-autos/
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Prius prompts class action lawsuit, possible recall
Here we go again. Toyota is being accused of concealing a defect from owners, and this time the result is a class action lawsuit over High Intensity Discharge headlights in the Prius. There have been so many complaints, a possible recall is even in the works. Not to worry. Toyota will step up to the plate and explain the connection between these headlight failures and customers not changing the engine oil at proper intervals.
Gee. Maybe Toyota could wire up the Prius' headlights the same way as Toyota's Check Engine lights. That oughta make 'em come on often enough...
http://www.autospies.com/news/Toyota-Facing-Lawsuit-Potential-Recall-Over-Prius-HID-Headlights-45562/
Gee. Maybe Toyota could wire up the Prius' headlights the same way as Toyota's Check Engine lights. That oughta make 'em come on often enough...
http://www.autospies.com/news/Toyota-Facing-Lawsuit-Potential-Recall-Over-Prius-HID-Headlights-45562/
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Toyota U.S.A. ad shields Prius from criticism
For a master of deceit, Toyota's hard to beat. All those rosie YouTube viewer comments on Toyota U.S.A.'s Prius video ads are apparently a bit misleading. Charlene Blake, well known consumer advocate and longtime thorn in Toyota's side, dared to post evidence of a few Prius problems, such as bad brakes and unintended acceleration. Toyota U.S.A. demonstrated its devotion to free speech by removing the post and blocking Charlene from making any more comments.
I'll bet Toyota wishes they could also remove posts - and block everyone's access - to Charlene's online petition regarding oil sludge. So far, almost three thousand of Toyota's customers have embarrassed ol' Mr. T by listing their names and making comments.
Poor lil ol' Toyota. They're afraid of Charlene Blake...
I'll bet Toyota wishes they could also remove posts - and block everyone's access - to Charlene's online petition regarding oil sludge. So far, almost three thousand of Toyota's customers have embarrassed ol' Mr. T by listing their names and making comments.
Poor lil ol' Toyota. They're afraid of Charlene Blake...
Sales keep droppin' - Toyota pins hopes on Prius
Update 12/11/2010 - Prius problems continue: 650,000 recalled to fix water pumps. http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2010/11/30/toyota-announces-another-prius-recall/
http://tinyurl.com/2ejlb9v
Toyota's sales continue to plummet, down almost sixty percent in Russia, and in the U.S., Toyota has recently been outpaced by Ford. Looks like the public is finally catchin' on to Toyota's slick marketing versus the sad facts of the corporation. Toyota and its dealerships are the absolute worst experience I've ever had in the automotive industry.
Not that all of their products are pure junk, or anything like that, but its downright amusing that Toyota is pinning its hopes on the Prius. Must be a case of nervous desperation, 'cause the Prius is developing a reputation for such niceties as unintended acceleration, brake problems, strange behavior on gravel surfaces, and less gas mileage than folks are being led to believe.
Toyota losing sales? Couldn't happen to a finer bunch.
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/may2009/gb2009058_991777_page_2.htm
http://tinyurl.com/2ejlb9v
Toyota's sales continue to plummet, down almost sixty percent in Russia, and in the U.S., Toyota has recently been outpaced by Ford. Looks like the public is finally catchin' on to Toyota's slick marketing versus the sad facts of the corporation. Toyota and its dealerships are the absolute worst experience I've ever had in the automotive industry.
Not that all of their products are pure junk, or anything like that, but its downright amusing that Toyota is pinning its hopes on the Prius. Must be a case of nervous desperation, 'cause the Prius is developing a reputation for such niceties as unintended acceleration, brake problems, strange behavior on gravel surfaces, and less gas mileage than folks are being led to believe.
Toyota losing sales? Couldn't happen to a finer bunch.
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/may2009/gb2009058_991777_page_2.htm
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Sudden acceleration: Prius joins Camry, Solara
Oops. Bad enough for Toyota that government investigators have been looking into allegations of unexpected speedups in Camrys and Solaras. Now it seems that Toyota's much touted Prius is yet another model with a mind of its own. Worse yet, customers say the Prius also has a nasty habit of ignoring those frantic stabs at the brake pedal. Just keeps going, and going, and going. Ask the guy whose Prius wound up taking him inside a convenience store and then exploded. He has filed a lawsuit against Toyota.
Leave it to Toyota to blame its customers. When the problem is an outrageous number of engine failures, Toyota says its because their customers don't change the oil regularly. When the problem is unstoppable, sudden acceleration, Toyota says its customers can't distinguish between the gas pedal and the brake. Toyota has also suggested - with a straight face - that some of those pesky customers have even jammed floormats underneath the brake pedal. Comforting to know that Toyota thinks folks who purchase its products are so highly intelligent.
Horror stories galore:
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2009-04-23/news/hybrid-hell-the-toyota-prius-can-be-a-devil-to-drive
Leave it to Toyota to blame its customers. When the problem is an outrageous number of engine failures, Toyota says its because their customers don't change the oil regularly. When the problem is unstoppable, sudden acceleration, Toyota says its customers can't distinguish between the gas pedal and the brake. Toyota has also suggested - with a straight face - that some of those pesky customers have even jammed floormats underneath the brake pedal. Comforting to know that Toyota thinks folks who purchase its products are so highly intelligent.
Horror stories galore:
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2009-04-23/news/hybrid-hell-the-toyota-prius-can-be-a-devil-to-drive
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