Toyota just lost a sale
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From: aemeijers on 28 Nov 2009 18:40 Pete C. wrote: > Ashton Crusher wrote: >> On Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:37:28 +0000 (UTC), Tegger <invalid(a)invalid.inv> >> wrote: >> >>> Nate Nagel <njnagel(a)roosters.net> wrote in >>> news:heooch02mad(a)news3.newsguy.com: >>> >>>> Ashton Crusher wrote: (snip) >>> So... >>> >>> My first very silly question: Why don't they hinge the gas pedal at the >>> floor anymore? >>> >>> My second very silly question: What was wrong with the old BMC practice of >>> putting a little metal roller on the end of the throttle-pedal rod instead >>> of a great big rubber pad? >> The issue with both is that they create holes in the floor and rust >> attacks those spots. Suspended pedals don't have that problem. > > Suspended pedals also are better for power adjustable pedal setups. Floor mounted gas pedal would also add steps to the assembly process, since it would have to go in after the carpet. Other than an old VW I had, I haven't seen a floor-mounted pedal since some of the 1960s GM boats. I'm sure there were others out there, but I never sat behind the wheel of one. -- aem sends...
From: C. E. White on 30 Nov 2009 08:19 "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno(a)e86.GTS> wrote in message news:pan.2009.11.26.19.10.01.434332(a)e86.GTS... > On Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:54:01 -0700, Ashton Crusher wrote: > >> After the news came out about the unintended acceleration problem >> that >> killed the cop and his family one of the ladies in my office said >> she was >> ruling out buying a Highlander as a result. She wants to get a >> bigger car >> for her family and was looking at Highlanders but not anymore. >> Frankly I >> was amazed that something like this would so quickly turn off a >> buyer. > > I am too, considering the Highlander is not one of the vehicles > affected > by the problem. Unfortunately most people don't actually read the articles. I wasn't worried by this "issue" at all. We never even gave it a thought when car shopping. However, I've had two different friends call me and warn me about the dangerous new Toyota my mother is driving. The SO has had a friend call her about her RAV4 and her daughters 4Runner (neither of which has been recalled) On the other hand, the SO's father (a loyal Toyotaite) was disparging a friends 10+ year old Chevy truck becasue it needed something done to the valves (turns out it needed valve guide seals). I agreed this was a common problem for some old Chevy V8s, but then I pointed out it was a common problem for old Toyotas as well. He looked at me like I was insane. He did not think Toyotas had problem like that. I asked him about his old Camry...didn't it often blow a little blue smoke in the morning? He admitted it did, but thought it wasn't a problem. I agreed it wasn't a problem, but it was a sign of leaking valve guide seals - exaclty the same problem as the old Chevy V8. Only difference was that the Chevy guy got talked in to paying to fix it. Ed
From: C. E. White on 30 Nov 2009 08:22 "Vic Smith" <thismailautodeleted(a)comcast.net> wrote in message news:5rmtg5p2r5d4fht0jeiqlro5hmaluv9tm9(a)4ax.com... > On Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:23:13 +0000 (UTC), Tegger > <invalid(a)invalid.inv> > wrote: > >>Ashton Crusher <demi(a)moore.net> wrote in >>news:shjtg5p8te53o9huh6a0fnq16mmmhmjit7(a)4ax.com: >> >>> After the news came out about the unintended acceleration problem >>> that >>> killed the cop and his family one of the ladies in my office said >>> she >>> was ruling out buying a Highlander as a result. She wants to get >>> a >>> bigger car for her family and was looking at Highlanders but not >>> anymore. Frankly I was amazed that something like this would so >>> quickly turn off a buyer. >> >> >> >>And that's likely just the sort of thing Toyota is trying to prevent >>by >>jumping all over the issue the way they are. > > In the end folks will remember the lengths that Toyota went to to > fix > it more than the initial problem. > Something the domestics never learned. This is just not true. Toyota has no choice but to fix it. NHTSA is all over Toyota about this issue. In the old days, when Toyota had a small percentage of the US market, they could jsut sweep problems under the rug. Not any more. When you are number 1, you ahve a trget on your back. NHTSA can't jsut ignore major defects from high volume manufacturers. Ed
From: C. E. White on 30 Nov 2009 08:29 "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno(a)e86.GTS> wrote in message news:pan.2009.11.26.22.08.39.7887(a)e86.GTS... > Funny, isn't it? After 40+ years in the US making safe, reliable > cars, one > error taints the brand for a while? ONE??????????????????????? You have to be kidding! In the last few years Toyota has had to recall massive numebrs of vehicle for safety defects - bad ball joints, rusting frames, rusting rear suspension, faulty fuel systems, faulty seat belts, etc., etc., etc. Take off those blinders! Toyota builds some fine vehicles, just like many other manufacturers. BUT, just like other manufacturers, Toyota has produced some real POS vehicles and made dumb design desicions on some otherwise fine vehicles. Ed > > Bet she goes out and buys an Equinox... > > BTW, as I mentioned, the Highlander was not affected. But, that > doesn't > matter to people who don't pay attention. > > > > >> >> >>> --Vic >>> >
From: C. E. White on 30 Nov 2009 08:53
"Tegger" <invalid(a)invalid.inv> wrote in message news:Xns9CCFD17398E65tegger(a)208.90.168.18... > dsi1 <dsi1(a)spamnet.com> wrote in > news:ITBPm.12537$cX4.1779(a)newsfe10.iad: > > >> >> I'll bet you a buck that this lady will remember Toyotas as unsafe >> vehicles for quite a while. At least that's the main claim to fame >> of >> the Ford Pinto and Audi 5000. > > > > Possibly influential difference: Ford stonewalled on the Pinto for > quite a > while. Toyota never did that. BS! Toyota is the king of stonewalling. Go review the history of the truck ball joint problems, or the truck frame rusitng problems. I think this runaway Lexus is a bunch of hooey BUT, given all the media attention and NHTSA pressure, Toyota had no choice but to react. > And Audi had no problem to fix in the first place, which put them in > a bit > of a spot as to what to do before somebody came up with the idea of > the > brake interlock. I think you are completely wrong when you say Ford stonewalled on the Pinto gas tank issue. I believe many responsible people at Ford did not think their was a problem and they fought a high profile lawsuit in court and lost. Ford was clearly not balmeless in the case of the Ford Pinto, however, I think if you go read the history of the case you will see that the reality is far different than the public's perception. I suggest you read the articles at: http://www.pointoflaw.com/articles/The_Myth_of_the_Ford_Pinto_Case.pdf http://www.wfu.edu/~palmitar/Law&Valuation/Papers/1999/Leggett-pinto.html Pintos were not dangerous vehicles compared to other car of comparable size and cost. Ed |