Apology falls on deaf ears as lawmakers blast Toyota’s boss over safety issues

Laurie G.
Olivia, MN     02/25/2010 4:55 PM

Michelle H - ahhhh duh....I know that Toyota didn't get bailout funds from the US....I wasn't referring to Toyota. Read Lynn's comment first and you'll maybe understand what I was getting at.

Report a Violation

joe r.
Willmar, MN     02/25/2010 4:22 PM

There is no doubt about the quality of Toyota, but just like some US companies, Toyota's failure to fix the problems early on is what is making lawmakers angry. If you know anything about the Japanese, failure is not an option, and just like some CEO's here in the US, failure means little compensation. Now in Japan, failure means more, it means humiliation, and somethimes disgrace. Companies need to get a handle on problems as soon as they are addressed, not wait to figure ways to cover up problems, or candy coat them. Now if issues with vehicles have been known to cause death and injury, then the government has the right to step in if corporations are not willing to step up right away. This is not a political issue, it is a people issue. Toyota received its funding from their banks in Japan, but are still liable for defects on vehicles sold in this country, and are responsible for damages caused to buyers. Our US car companies came to the government for bailout money even when they were failing, then showed up in leer jets, staying in fancy hotels. Like Laurie stated, leaving Toyota out, those US companies came to the government, the government did not come to them, so therefore there is a responsibility to the US government.

Report a Violation

Michelle H.
02/25/2010 3:26 PM

Laurie, Toyota has worked with their Japanese Bank for bailout funds, they did not get anything from the US. This basically makes the government Toyota's competitor and regulator- kind of a conflict of interest, don't you think? Josh, the current CEO basically appointed himself. Fritz Henderson (a long-time GM employee) replaced Rick Wagoner last spring and Ed Whitacre (who was on the Board) began the process to oust him for not making GM better fast enough. Whitacre is now the CEO, kind of an interesting way to get a job huh?

Report a Violation

dar l.
Paynesville, MN     02/25/2010 1:35 PM

Laurie G, first of all- an open discussion with all members of government, not just closed door typing up of a 2000 page document that nobody read. Health care reform is important, especially taking insurance companies to task. I don't understand the whole process but I do wonder why, if the document on the table at this time is so wonderful, with a Dem majority in Congress, it hasn't moved ahead. Don't you ever get tired of everything being political? I just want a bill that is good for the country. I don't believe they have one yet. So far each party just blames the other for their ineffectiveness.

Report a Violation

steve p.
02/25/2010 12:54 PM

I thought the article was about Toyota......

Report a Violation

Bob K.
Atwater, MN     02/25/2010 10:38 AM

What some posters do not understand is the bottom line is what you pay taxes on. Just as you arrive on your own personal taxe returns, after deductions, is what is called the adjusted income to pay taxes on is the same as what businesses pay taxes on. The more deductions you create, the less taxes you must pay - the more income you have, probably will be more taxable income with more taxes paid. Bottom line bash all you want but that is what the various levels of govenments base their portion of their tax revenues from.

Report a Violation

Jim Q.
02/25/2010 10:20 AM

Randy if you believe business has the public's best interest at heart you my friend are living in a dream world. The only thing that business has a interest in is the bottom line.

Report a Violation

Josh B.
02/25/2010 9:44 AM

Laurie - who appointed the CEO of GM?

Report a Violation

kathy a.
02/25/2010 9:36 AM

Toyota probably did not create the problem to increase their bottom line but I'll wager they were slow to fess up to the problem to increase their bottom line. A perfect case for the need for Gov regulation of big business.

Report a Violation

Laurie G.
Olivia, MN     02/25/2010 9:26 AM

dar - what would you like to see done to solve the health coverage issues?

Report a Violation