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Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Well

The pendulum swings. And, oh, how it swings.....


Toyota and it's bulletproof reputation?

9 comments:

Dan Schmatz said...

Toyota took a hit but if you read the entire report it shows that across the board the Asian manufactures still prove to provide more reliable automobiles then the US. These days I its all about which car your buying.

Pedal Brake Pedal by TK said...

the trend is the important part. and the realization that america's "consumer magazine" admits it's bias is quite a revelation to some, but has been obvious to others for years.

Anonymous said...

A lot of Toyotas are made here in the US.
And a lot of parts for US cars are made over seas.
just my .02
BTW I have a Toyota...

Pedal Brake Pedal by TK said...

i don't want you guys to miss the implications.

what we have is a lot of people with a blind eye toward products made by certain companies, in this case toyota. on the other hand, we have a trusted consumer publication giving a "pass" to toyota because of past performance. that's a bad combination for consumers. this can hurt a lot of people in the long run, and allow a lot of companies to profit for a long while before a bad reputation catches up with them.

it pays to keep an open mind about products, wherever they are made. the nature of business is to turn a profit, and lots of times that means the customer suffers. let's not forget that no company is our "friend" and the bottom line is stock price and dollars. i hate to see corporations get by with murder because they have somehow convinced the buying public that they are making products or providing services because they like us. i'm not just picking on toyota or honda, or just asian companies for that matter. microsoft has an incredible following, but those who follow the computer business know to keep a close eye on the company because sometimes their products are downright awful for the buyer.

call it the socialist in me. i feel that people need to be reminded of these issues sometimes, and becoming too brand loyal (or exhibiting too much brand hatred!) clouds our thinking.

---off my soapbox---

Unknown said...

We'll see.... ;-)

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB119210943242155968.html

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/10/12/business/ford.php

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071011/FREE/71011001/1508/FREE&rssfeed=rss01&template=zoom&Site=CW&Date=20071011&Category=FREE&ArtNo=71011001&Ref=V2&Profile=1508&CRED=

Davey B said...

Yoda of mtb bling,

Not to change the subject, BUT...

Carbon pivotless Scalpel or Carbon OIZ....

For me and what I do...

DB

Anonymous said...

nice, insightful reply TK. it is all about the $$.
thanks for the reminder!

Pedal Brake Pedal by TK said...

i'm glad i can incite such controversy... :)

davey b, you can open a can no matter what you ride. my most recent experience is with the orbea. i liked the previous scalpel, too, but can't speak for the newer one. one difference: the scalpel was firmer, the orbea is smoother. pick your poison!

Davey B said...

hey tim, thanks for the help and the compliment!

Dave