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Interesting government comments. Obviously, even when the government has good intentions, there are still often ulterior motives, such as the maintenance of power, kickbacks, pork, etc. Unfortunately, such ulterior motives always lead to an un-level playing field.

Certainly, many governments around the world embrace protectionist policies, but such policies don’t seem beneficial to America these days. Technological competition around the world is increasing at a rate that simply will move much faster than Congress can react to – which is already too late. While business at the speed of light is hyperbole, technology at the speed of light is almost accurate.

Inevitably, almost anything is possible these days. Technological change is exponential, unpredictable and uncontrollable.

It seems to me that we have no choice but to incite competition towards societal-beneficial goals via as level a playing field as possible. In terms of the auto industry, such competition is the only thing that will make the domestic side of the US auto industry competitive with the rest of the world into the future.

At times, that might hurt one of the Big 3, a union worker, etc., but in the long run I don’t think America has a choice.

I never believed the anti-Toyota PR, but I was happy to take advantage of the offers.

But what happened to Toyota … in my view… is they did not pay close enough attention to these incidents that made in onto the 24/7 news cycle and then when they did respond – instead of dealing with it quickly and effectively ..they played stupid little games that made them look guilty even when they were not.

it’s a shame but unfortunately since Toyota is so highly revered for it’s quality, the public held them to a much tougher standard and expected them to not act like other slime-ball car companies… and they failed that test.

I find the comment about the NHTSA interesting in a time when many are saying that the govt is incapable of regulating and each incident like this – proves it – and so that becomes yet another reason to get rid of these agencies.

There is no cover-up in the government. That wouldn’t make any sense. What is there to gain for the government? What government or person exists to make themselves look stupid?

Look at the decades of safety data. It has been safer to drive a Toyota or foreign car for decades.

Instead, of making assumptions, Beth, perhaps you try to do some actual research so you can have an educated opinion, rather than just making silly assumptions.

From what I read so far, the only “unintended acceleration” case thus not explained by a black box implying driver error was the Officer in San Diego. In that case, the dealer put the wrong floor mat in the wrong car. Such an incident can occur in most vehicles on the road today.

Yet, without any facts the Secretary of Transportation publicly attacked Toyota and said he wouldn’t drive such a vehicle.

Based on what evidence?

Even more interesting, would the same have been said of GM or Chrysler during the same time? Or would the government have waited for the facts so as not to destroy their investment?

That’s not to say that Toyota didn’t have some problems, but in reality – knowing what we know now – were they really any more out of whack compared to the rest of the auto industry? Moreover, based on the last few decades of real world safety information, as well as the historical data of the government’s decades long research into unintended acceleration, I wonder did many Big 3-friendly members of Congress, as well as the majority-Big 3-owning government really care about the truth, or about perceptions and what those perceptions could do for their own self interests?

Since these recalls GM and Chrysler have thrived, while Toyota has declined. This was good for the government, for the UAW, etc. Perhaps it was all just a coincidence, but what a perfect coincidence.

They just were just inept in their response and left the impression that they did not have to account to the public for how their software worked (or not).

The 24/7 news cycle can result in serious damage to a company’s credibility if they don’t get in front of the story – quickly.

Ask BP.