Remember when Toyota commercials would feature average, everyday Joe six-packs getting in to or out of their brand new Toyota? The slogan was, "I love what you do for me...Toyota!" Then the way-too-limber-for-an-average-Midwest-Toyota-owner, would jump up in slow motion while attempting to reach the sky.
Toyota's slogan has changed over the years, and now with the faulty gas pedals and death on their hands...some of them seem downright ironic.
1) The Car in Front is a Toyota - probably because the gas pedal was stuck and the driver couldn't slow down or stop.
2) I Love What You Do for Me...Toyota! There's nothing like the thrill of driving through the open roads, wind in the hair...and the inability to stop when the car in front of me breaks. Instant trauma and soiled pants...really love it Toyota.
3) Get the Feeling. Toyota. I'm sure there are many people that got the feeling, Toyota...to sue you. And I've got a feeling, Toyota...that it will take a lot more than a statement from the CEO to do right by Toyota owners.
4) Your New Experience of Motoring. True. I've never experienced the fear of impending death by simply getting in my car to go to the grocery store.
5) The Best Built Cars in the World. The world is screwed. I believe the Kia Sorrento is up for that title next year.
6) Toyota. Moving Forward. Perhaps the executives at Toyota were foreshadowing when they came up with this tagline 5 years ago. Of course they're moving forward...and they're going to continue at a high speed unless someone fixes their gas pedals.
The Toyota Motor Corporation has definitely gotten itself into a pickle. Sticky gas pedals are not just a PR nightmare for the auto conglomerate. They are a nuisance to millions of Toyota drivers and a tragedy for the family and friends of those whose lives were ended short because of the pedal oversight.
More than 2.3 million Toyota cars and trucks have been recalled in the United States. In Japan, 5.4 million vehicles were recalled to prevent pedals from getting trapped by floor mats. Some question how long Toyota knew of the potential risks and threats. Many speculate that executives at Toyota have known for a year that there were safety concerns regarding certain gas pedals and the manufacturer.
Toyota President Akio Toyoda has apologized for the widening defects crisis and assures consumers that a fix is on its way. “I am deeply sorry that we’re giving cause for concern to customers,” Toyoda said in an interview with Japan’s NHK television network in Davos, Switzerland, posted to US broadcaster ABC News’ website. “I’d like people to believe we’re taking this step to further assure them."
President Toyoda, perhaps you should once again change your tagline: Get the Feeling. Regret. Toyota.
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