Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Conflict of interest:Toyota vs. US GOV????


In my household we own a 2008 Toyota Prius (never been recalled) and a Honda Prelude (which in 4 months will be eligible for "antique" tags") as it will be 20 years old and runs like new. When I watch the federal government, namely the Congress grill Toyota CEOs over a tiny (but serious if true) number of events which Toyota recalled almost it's entire 2004-2010 fleet, I wonder a few things.
1. Since the federal government owns GM and Chrysler, makes the rules regarding automobile recalls, is this a conflict of interest.

2.How come the government has made such a big deal over the Toyota recalls when an equal number of recalls happened to automakers whose domestic plants are unionized? Has the current regime, at any other time, favored unionized business over non-unionized businesses?

3.Is it possible given the fact that (especially here in Florida) people put 30 inch rims on a car made for 15 inch rims that such things could affect the computer systems of a car which would be beyond Toyota's control?

4. I am about to post photos of consumer reports quality assessments of various vehicles from Toyota and the Government made cars. These reports are based on surveys based on reports from owners who give assessments of their cars. Consumer reports takes no advertising money from any special interests and are as close to one can get to an honest look at the quality of an auto one is considering buying. In these photos, the red dots mean good, black dots mean bad

01-07 Toyota Prius:

98-07 Toyota RAV4 SUV
01-07 Toyota Highlander SUV

01-05 Chevrolet Venture minivan

01-07 Chevrolet Monte Carlo coupe

Dodge Ram Truck

Anybody besides me notice the sea of red dots regarding the Toyotas, and all the black dots among the products from the now government owned businesses? I don't have the time or energy to post every vehicle from every make, however I believe the contrast is clear. GM and Chrysler (owned by the government) know that they have years worth of crap on the road, yet are insisting on recalling every Toyota from 2004 to present. Yet when it comes to vehicles that the government is responsible for (due to warranties) are absolute crap, yet the government says nothing. Is it possible that this is ultimately revenge for Toyota taking a quiet lead in opposing "card check" which would force the unionization of their American manufacturing plants????

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