Real Toyota Trouble

I've had my own personal Toyota troubles before, though to be honest, every one of their vehicles I've owned has had only minor problems. Certain things simply start to go bad when a car ages, even one made by a quality minded manufacturer.

Toyota has maintained a reputation for producing quality, reliable vehicles, for many years. So this recent recall business with the sticking accelerators (a defect that has lead to at least 19 deaths) has had many car owners and buyers (even Toyota loyalists) questioning that reputation. My first impression was that this was probably unfair. It appeared a minor problem (in spite of the few unfortunate tragedies that may have resulted) easily corrected (a postage stamp-sized piece of metal is the fix) and nothing to lead a rational person away from otherwise very fine automobiles.

On the other hand, as Toyota has gotten bigger, there has seemed to be a reduction in that fabled quality. Last night as I watched TV I saw a commercial from Ford comparing the Toyota Camry to the Fusion. Obviously Ford is taking full advantage of their rival's woes. And is a Ford a lesser vehicle? Does Ford make a worse product than Toyota? I have my doubts that that is any longer the case. Now I'm not saying that this applies across the board to other American car companies (I pity you if you own a Chrysler product, even a brand new one) but Ford (and maybe even Government Motors) are making much better cars than they used to, and they can probably match Japanese cars in overall reliability and quality. Maybe.

Toyota's specific troubles may be able to be traced right back to their management. Something I wasn't aware of is the fact that "As recently as December, Toyota was asking its suppliers to reduce parts costs by 30% over the next three years."-Where Toyota went wrong.

Come on, when you start cutting corners like that, of course your quality (and eventually your hard won reputation) is going to suffer.

So would you buy a Ford over a similar Toyota model? I think I would at least seriously consider it. Then again if I was in the market (as a wage slave I'm currently not) for a new car I'd most likely stop by my local Honda dealer first.

The Statist Auto Industry

At a special Reuters summit in Detroit, numerous auto industry executives are cited as suggesting that the government raise taxes on gasoline substantially to spur the adoption of fuel efficient vehicles. States Tim Leuliette, chief executive of privately held parts supplier Dura Automotive, “In the United States, we’re afraid to touch the fuel price. We’ve got to continue to raise taxes in the United States so that, by the end of the next decade, gas is about $8 a gallon in today’s terms.”-Auto Execs Urge Government to Tax Fuel up to $8/Gallon to Increase Fuel Efficiency

The Auto industry has always had strong ties to the government, but after bailouts to save the losers GM and Chrysler (Chrysler should have been given a merciful death back in the 1980s) and the evil Cash for Clunkers scam, we can see clearly what has always been obvious, that big business cares nothing for free markets, and is not, as Ayn Rand claimed, "America’s persecuted minority".


I think it's safe to say the modern American capitalism is a complete fraud and that liberty lovers should stop calling themselves "capitalists". It only confuses the issue when we do so, because in the popular mind, the cozy corporate/state alliance is capitalism.

Detroit Welfare Queens

The big three US automakers want a bailout. However...

Industry leaders have argued that the loan guarantees are not a government bailout because it would hasten production of fuel-efficient vehicles and reduce dependence on imported oil.

Why weren't they hastening the production of fuel-efficient vehicles during all those years when they were sitting fat and happy raking in the profits from their huge gas guzzlers? How about some responsibility for your own behavior here...oh, that's right, that only applies to ordinary individuals that are struggling to pay the bills, not big corporations (I forgot for a minute that we have a fascist economic system in this country, not a real free market).

"This is not about benefiting Wall Street," said Ford Motor Co.'s President of the Americas Mark Fields, referencing recent federal support for the investment firm Bear Stearns and troubled mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. "This is benefiting Main Street, the working men and women. The auto industry is part of the backbone of the U.S. economy."

Uh, yeah right.

"This industry could fall down, literally, or be absorbed if they don't get something in place very soon. I think it's that severe," said Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Mich. "Something has to happen pretty quickly because they can't compete paying 15 to 20 percent (interest)."

This same Rep. Joe Knollenberg voted for and was a co-sponsor of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005, which made it much more difficult for individual consumers to file a chapter 7 bankruptcy, which many have need of because they can't make it paying 15 to 20 (or 30) percent interest to the credit card companies. Where's the bailout for all those taken advantage of by the loan sharks calling themselves banks, huh Rep. Knollenberg?

Democrat Barack Obama has criticized Republican rival John McCain for not supporting the full $50 billion loan program. McCain said last week he supported fully covering the $25 billion loan program in the energy law.

Obama, just another servant of his corporate masters. Agent of change my ass!

Oh, and the evil House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has promised "quick action" on the bailout this fall (this is the same bitch that said impeachment of the criminal George W. Bush was "off the table").

Don't you just love "democracy"?