DETROIT – Toyota says it has a fix for its sticking gas pedals, the government approved it, and the company is sending repair kits to dealers. But Toyota’s problems are far from over. The Detroit News reports that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration raised concerns over sticking throttles in 2007, but Toyota said there was no problem. Former NHTSA administrator Nicole Nason says Toyota should be severely punished if it misled investigators.
Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reports that Japanese media are portraying U.S. media coverage of the Toyota recall as Japan bashing, as a resurgence of 1980s protectionism. But I can assure my Japanese colleagues that they simply don?t understand the American mindset. The media here always go after who ever is No. 1. After they knocked off General Motors, it was only a matter of time before the media went after Toyota. And Toyota just gave them the perfect excuse to go for the throat.
Last week we reported that Hyundai would not offer special incentives to lure Toyota buyers into its showrooms. I guess they changed their minds. Now they?ll give $1,000 to any Toyota customer who buys a Hyundai.
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