Deep bows aside the Chairman of Toyota gets the opportunity to answer the calls from congress, spurred on by NHTSA, regarding their latest automotive recalls. While crisis management purveyors have lauded Toyota’s performance as textbook perfect thus far, there are many wondering if Japan’s leading CEO will take off the gloves and deliver the response Samurai- style.
Congress: “When did you know there was a problem with the accelerators in your cars?”
Mr. Toyoda: “We have been in constant contact with your NHTSA agency on all complaints as we receive them directly or through your watch-dog agencies and have been monitoring the situation of the 34 documented circumstances out of millions to determine if this was unique to those specific cars. Different years, models and driving circumstances unlike the 550 deaths of the specific make, model and tire of Firestone and Ford.”
Congress: ” How you explain the delay in recalling the BRAKE problem in the Prius?”
Toyoda: ” No reported deaths made our decision to review the complaints as NHTSA service bulletins while researching the driving experiences reported on bumpy roads, speed bumps. We traced it back immediately to the motor switching from electric to gas in braking under these circumstances, not unlike when you follow an eColi outbreak back to the hamburger or peanut butter packer. Unlike these companies, no lives or US jobs have been lost. In fact, we have re-invested over 100 million in the plants we have here on us soil.”
Congress: “Mr. Toyoda do you think you are protecting the US public by delivering safe cars to our cities and highways?”
Toyoda: “I believe my company employees (Toyota Motor Co.) are doing their best to protect the the US public, our dealers and loyal customers in the same way you are protecting the American car companies and US public investment in those organizations in the way you are handling this investigation.”
Congress: “What would you suggest we do to make sure this type of massive recall never happens again?”
Toyoda: “With all due respect gentlemen,ladies. I suggest you look at all the deaths caused by faulty US automakers, food and drug manufacturers, and physical infrastructure, not to mention the millions of dollars in US funds given to US carmakers for plants and jobs now created in other countries and focus on the job the US taxpayer elected you to do.”
Welcome to America Mr. Toyoda.
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