Toyota?

[haplesshacker]

Over hyped media frenzy or a real genuine problem?

Regardless of which. Surely their reputation is sufficiently ruined to finish them off? Shame. I really liked my MR2!

Thoughts?

 

[vig]

I wonder if the prices of their motors will plummet now that they have had all this bad press.

I wonder if Lexus uses the same parts

 

[Smiffy]

Over hyped media frenzy or a real genuine problem?

Regardless of which. Surely their reputation is sufficiently ruined to finish them off? Shame. I really liked my MR2!

Thoughts?

Over hyped media frenzy.
I've sold hundreds of Toyotas over the years and I can count on one hand the number that have come back with problems.
Still one of the (if not THE) most reliable cars in the world and I wouldn't hesitate in buying one myself if I were in the market for a car....which I may be after the cambelt snapped on my old nag tonight as I was leaving work....

 

[Yerman]

No, it's really nearly slighty almost serious, the software has got the swineflu virus.

 

[gjbike]

just driving my new Toyota Prius. Chat later can't stop.

 

[Imurg]

It's obviously a problem that needs sorting otherwise Toyota wouldn't spend millions recalling the cars. But the number of problems against the number of cars makes it a very small "real" problem but it could cost them dear.
I'd still buy one though.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think it will inevitably harm their reputation but I think given the units they sell and the number likely to have the problem then I'd still buy one

 

[Golfmmad]

Agree with comments above, having owned 2 Toyota Previas for a period of 6/7 years. Can honestly say the only costs were usual servicing and tyres. Great cars to drive, soooo much room and comfortable with it.

Really miss owning one, but not the fuel costs
If I was in the market to change I wouldn't be put off from the recent problems. I'm sure Toyota will sort these issues soon and will not want their reputation ruined because of it.

Anyone seen the new MPV? Looks stunning, but these days would have to win the lottery to afford one!

Golfmmad.

 

[User 105]

I'd think it will do them quite a bit of damage, at least in the next 6-9 months. It's all about perception not reality.

Just ask Ratner about how easily a companies reputation can be damaged and the impact it can have !!

They won't go under, they are too big of a company. But they will take a hit for this.

Doesn't take much to put the uninformed buying public off.

 

[RGDave]

Over hyped media frenzy or a real genuine problem?

Regardless of which. Surely their reputation is sufficiently ruined to finish them off? Shame. I really liked my MR2!

I am a toyota fan, always have been. The cars I've owned have been nothing less than brilliant in every respect other than image (some ) and cost of parts.

They can afford the $2 bn it's going to cost them to do the recalls.

Is it going to ruin their image and damage sales? maybe in the short term.

Ultimately, it'll come down to how the dealers deal with it and whether folks feel worried about re-investing in another one. They are a funny bunch (I've been in clubs for old and new Toyotas) but brand-loyal to the end.

Never say never, but they dwarf many other motor companies and have enough leverage to survive. Toyota "bashing" ain't going to stop Toyota, in the same way that crappy broken Apple ipods and rubbish Sony Vaios haven't destroyed either brand.

 

[AndrewG]

Media frenzy. How come this relatively minor problem which hasn't caused a single accident in Europe had blanket coverage over the whole UK media for weeks, whereas Ford's spontaneously catching fire on the drive or Renault bonnets flying up on the motorway have to wait for investigations from Watchdog to be seen by the public...

 

[Spoff]

Slightly embarassed today as driving down the M1 into work I noticed a Prius in the rear-view-mirror - I pulled over and let it past as traffic was building up infront and I didn't want to break with it behind me!!!