Toyota: Democrats 'not industry friendly'

[Magox]

Internal Toyota documents derided the Obama administration and Democratic Congress as “activist” and “not industry friendly," a revelation that comes days before the giant automaker's top executives testify on Capitol Hill amid a giant recall.

 

According to a presentation obtained under subpoena by the House Oversight and Government Relations committee, Toyota referred to the “changing political environment” as one of its main challenges and anticipated a "more challenging regulatory" environment under the Obama administration's purview.

 

This document, in addition to piles of other records, will be front and center this week as the Japanese automaker girds to face lawmakers hungry for answers about a recall that has the company teetering.

 

Upwards of 8 million cars have been recalled in the U.S. and worldwide, amid reports of Toyota's vehicles accelerating rapidly. The problems have turned political, as the company has shuttered some American factories, potentially resulting in layoffs.

 

The “Activist Administration & Congress – increasing laws & regulations” is listed as one of “Toyota Challenges,” as is “Massive government support for Detroit automakers.” The July 2009 presentation also says the Department of Transportation and National Highway Transportation Safety Administration “under Obama administration” is “not industry friendly,” and anticipates a “more challenging regulatory and enforcement environment.”

 

 

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/...l#ixzz0gDXaj2cw

 

 

Isn't this what we've been saying?

[DC Tom]

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/...l#ixzz0gDXaj2cw

 

 

Isn't this what we've been saying?

 

As much as I don't like the government's support of the auto industry...Japanese automakers have absolutely no call to be bitching about unfair government support of US auto makers.

[pBills]

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/...l#ixzz0gDXaj2cw

 

 

Isn't this what we've been saying?

 

 

Yeah Toyota... THAT'S your problem!!

[/dev/null]

Would the US government come down so hard on Toyota if it didn't have such a vested stake in revitalizing the Detroit automakers?

[pBills]

Would the US government come down so hard on Toyota if it didn't have such a vested stake in revitalizing the Detroit automakers?

 

 

Maybe because they are worried about Toyota saving working towards saving money than doing complete recalls?

 

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- A Toyota executive boasted of the company saving $100 million by negotiating a limited recall for Toyota Camry and Lexus ES cars over a problem that could cause unintended acceleration.

 

In an internal Toyota document used as part of a company presentation on its government relations, dated July 6, 2009, the phrase "Negotiated 'equipment' recall on Camry/ES re: [sudden acceleration], saved $100 million+ with no defect found" is among a bullet-pointed list of "wins."

[Alaska Darin]

Maybe because they are worried about Toyota saving working towards saving money than doing complete recalls?

Considering that pretty much every business does that, it's not really a surprise. Everything is done by "Cost/Benefit Analysis". I doubt any government is going to change that with regulation because it's virtually impossible to make something loophole proof without crippling an industry - which has obvious downstream effects.

[KD in CA]

Would the US government come down so hard on Toyota if it didn't have such a vested stake in revitalizing the Detroit automakers?

 

Certainly not, but that only makes Toyota look dumber for failing to realize that.

[Magox]

Would the US government come down so hard on Toyota if it didn't have such a vested stake in revitalizing the Detroit automakers?

Bingo!!

[pBills]

Considering that pretty much every business does that, it's not really a surprise. Everything is done by "Cost/Benefit Analysis". I doubt any government is going to change that with regulation because it's virtually impossible to make something loophole proof without crippling an industry - which has obvious downstream effects.

 

 

I agree not a surprise. However they can't be surprised when they are asked more questions especially after all of their other problems.

[Chef Jim]

Would the US government come down so hard on Toyota if it didn't have such a vested stake in revitalizing the Detroit automakers?

 

That's the problem with the governmet having any stake in a private company. They have great power to make things difficult for the competition. I'm not saying that's what was done here I'm just saying it could happen which is a scary thought.

[Alaska Darin]

That's the problem with the governmet having any stake in a private company.

Or in much of anything, really. I've always been of the opinion that government shouldn't be allowed to tax things like gasoline on its own because it leads to "How would we replace that revenue stream should something better come along?", which is something we've continued to face for a very long time.

[Chef Jim]

Or in much of anything, really. I've always been of the opinion that government shouldn't be allowed to tax things like gasoline on its own because it leads to "How would we replace that revenue stream should something better come along?", which is something we've continued to face for a very long time.

 

And it leads to the point does the government really want people to stop smoking and get rid of that cash cow. But regarding gasoline they'll just tax whatever it is that's better that comes along.

[IDBillzFan]

Or in much of anything, really. I've always been of the opinion that government shouldn't be allowed to tax things like gasoline on its own because it leads to "How would we replace that revenue stream should something better come along?", which is something we've continued to face for a very long time.

That doesn't concern me too much because most people who own a company know enough to keep their eye on the future to ensure the cash flow is stable in the event of changing market conditions. If you sell pagers, for example, you know at some point you're going to have start selling cell phones. There are plenty of business-minded people running our government, and I'm certain they have their eyes on the future.

[Alaska Darin]

And it leads to the point does the government really want people to stop smoking and get rid of that cash cow. But regarding gasoline they'll just tax whatever it is that's better that comes along.

Except to this point they've done pretty much the opposite and have been in the back pocket of industry lobbyists to ensure the monopoly gets even stronger.

[manateefan]

As much as I don't like the government's support of the auto industry...Japanese automakers have absolutely no call to be bitching about unfair government support of US auto makers.

 

I agree. Especially since Toyotas are coming out as the most unsafe vehicle to drive. Gas peddle problems, streering problems, brake problems.

 

Japan also has to remember Ford took no stimulus money. And they have been holding their own.

[Magox]

As much as I don't like the government's support of the auto industry...Japanese automakers have absolutely no call to be bitching about unfair government support of US auto makers.

I agree to an extent, however the motives behind the U.S Transportation department/Government and the type of "support" that the U.S is possibly providing to GM, Ford and Chrysler differs from the sort of "support" that the Japanese government has provided for the Japanese auto makers. Not to mention you have to figure the Unions are loving this, you know they want the non-unionized Toyota to be severely scrutinized and over-enforced.

 

This smells of a witch hunt to me.

[pBills]

I agree to an extent, however the motives behind the U.S Transportation department/Government and the type of "support" that the U.S is possibly providing to GM, Ford and Chrysler differs from the sort of "support" that the Japanese government has provided for the Japanese auto makers. Not to mention you have to figure the Unions are loving this, you know they want the non-unionized Toyota to be severely scrutinized and over-enforced.

 

This smells of a witch hunt to me.

 

 

I highly doubt it is a witch hunt. Plain and simple Toyota F'd up, that is why they are being heavily scrutinized.

[Magox]

I highly doubt it is a witch hunt. Plain and simple Toyota F'd up, that is why they are being heavily scrutinized.

Of course you would see it that way, but the reality is that this sort of recall is not all that uncommon, however the amount of press and scrutinty that it is receiving from the Transportation department is uncommon.

 

 

1. Ford. In 2009, Ford completed a series of recalls spanning 10 years and affecting 14 million vehicles, including Lincoln and Mercury SUVs, pickups, vans and cars released from 1993 to 2004. The problem was a cruise-control switch that had a tendency to catch fire -- even when the vehicle was turned off.

 

2. Ford. In 1996, Ford had another fire-related problem. Hundreds of customers complained of conflagrations stemming from faulty ignition systems, which led to a recall of 8.6 vehicles, including Escorts, Mustangs, Tempos, Thunderbirds, Cougars, Crown Vics, Grand Marquis cars, Lincoln Town Cars, Aerostars, Broncos and F-series trucks.

 

3. General Motors. In 1971, GM recalled 6.7 million vehicles after reports, aired by consumer advocate Ralph Nader, that "cores of engines on Chevies made from 1965 to 1969 ... were twisting loose from car frames, sometimes with the frightening result that the auto's accelerator pedal was pulled all the way down to the floor and the brakes failed."

 

4. GM. In 1981, GM recalled 5.8 million vehicles after reports about suspension bolts in certain models coming loose and leading to steering malfunctions. Among the affected models were the Buick Regal and Century; Chevrolet El Camino, Monte Carlo and Malibu; Oldsmobile Cutlass; GMC Caballero; and the Pontiac LeMans and Grand Prix.

 

5. Ford. In 1971, Ford recalled 4.1 million 1970 and 1971 models of several vehicles in which seat-belt shoulder harnesses were found to fray and detach from the metal binding them to the frame.

 

PBills, you have to sometimes walk outside of your naivety, and see things for what they are.

[pBills]

Of course you would see it that way, but the reality is that this sort of recall is not all that uncommon, however the amount of press and scrutinty that it is receiving from the Transportation department is uncommon.

 

 

 

 

PBills, you have to sometimes walk outside of your naivety, and see things for what they are.

 

 

 

I am not going to say things are witch hunts and everything else negative until there are facts to prove so. Sorry that's just me.

 

I know that these recalls are not that uncommon as well. I do believe one of the reasons for the heavy Press is because of the squeaky clean image Toyota had. As far as the Transportation Department I am glad they are doing their job. They should be hard on them. Should have nothing to do with Unions or any sort of hidden agenda. Again, no proof of that.

[DC Tom]

I highly doubt it is a witch hunt. Plain and simple Toyota F'd up, that is why they are being heavily scrutinized.

 

It became a witch hunt at the very moment they decided to have Congressional hearings about it.