In VOANews.com, Akiko Fujita reports from Tokyo that ‘the Toyota brand is an icon in Japan. Its global success is a source of national pride. So when the automaker announced plans to stop selling millions of its cars in the United States and Europe last month because of gas pedal defects, the Japanese were concerned. When the company expanded its recalls to Japan, the public reacted with disbelief.’
Toyota had been known for quality and reliability. Such product defects that are now affecting its vehicles are definitely a fall from grace, especially that the company is a known adherent to total quality management systems, international standards, and the “kaizen” that espouses continuous improvements.
One modern Japanese history professor ventures the speculation that Toyota has become complacent in its erstwhile enjoyed success and reputation, while doubting if the company’s management systems are really new, fresh, and updated.
Toyota obviously failed to meet international standards. It did not ‘measure up to Japanese expectations.’ There was apparently a glitch somewhere down its assembly lines. The company management took too long to speak to the public and decide product recalls. The problems festered until a huge PR machine is now left with no choice but to move mountains in curing the company’s reputation in the eyes and perception of consumers.
This is definitely not a good time for Toyota to fall, not during these times of recession, and when car manufacturing plants are relocated to China because of cheaper labor, and especially not in a time when South Korean vehicles make tough competition.
