Quality #1? Whistleblower Files Suite Over Defect Cover Ups At GM/Toyota Plant

Well thats kind of worrying.:S What models are manufactured at this plant?

Matrix/Vibe?

Stopped being lazy and looked it up, apparently the Corolla subcompact, Tacoma pickup and Pontiac Vibe wagon are produced there.

Another blow to Toyota's credibility. It is harder when a company is on top, Toyota is the bulls eye for the industry.

Why is it a bullseye when Japanesze automakers mess-up, and poor quality when American cars are involved? Why is it just people picking on Japanese products, but well deserved from US standards? I lived in Japan for three years, guess what every Japanese citizen wanted? An American car. Why can't they buy one? Government won't let them.

Why is it a bullseye when Japanese automakers mess-up, and poor quality when American cars are involved?

The answer is simple, Japanese products are known for their product quality versus American cars have been known to have poor quality. Even though GM has drastically improved their quality it is has not done this long enough to change the common buyer's mind. So It will be a bulls eye on Toyota until Toyota continually produces bad quality products and poor quality on GM until it continually produces good quality product. That is how a reputation is built.

Btw, I am not saying that Toyota doesn't have quality issues here.

doesn't surprise me.

Well-Its disturbing to say the least.It seems it is more important to Toyota to be number 1 then keeping up with the same commitment to quality.(At least at this plant). I think they need to rethink this drive to be # one and concentrate on building quality cars that the've built in the past. If they don't change this quick Honda Motor company will start seeing a large influx of Toyota customers.

To counter some of the most egregious outpourings of FUD or pure Cow Butt Candy (CBC) from the likes of DavidKay etc. here is another POV.

1) The japanese do not limit imports from the U.S. that is 1980's tag line when the UAW/GMFord/Domestics wanted to crush Toyota in the U.S. Frankly US cars are made for the US market which dont apply anywhere else. If you follow the idustry trends you will notice that the biggest sector in Japan is the growth of the Kei car (800cc engines). For a mostly urban densely populated island (aka Japan) cars are taxed on engine displacement and age (Hence, Kei cars and Hybrids that give more power for the same engine displacement). More importantly car ownership is expensive in Japan.
2) Quality at the NUMMI plant. An allegation does not make the fact !!! the person has been fired but has an allegation that his/her firing was based on some sort of coverup. That has to be established first. It is not uncommon for people being fired from a Union shop to fight tooth and nail( pretty much you have to define incompetence as you normanclature in order for the UAW to wish you goodbye). AND yes NUMMI is AN UNION SHOP.
3) There has been a constant set of rumors / fake pills and the usual Detroit ramblings about quality etc etc. Toyota didnt just build its reputation in the US, in Asia too there is a distinct rand recognition for Toyota as being a quality leader. Its 30 years of high quality stuff that sustains them . A couple of months of loud mouths Swift Boaters spouting FUD does not a reputation break.

4) Too the legions of people talking about boring cars etc etc. Please look at the DNA of toyota, it was never a sports car company or about selling to the rich . Toyota makes great vehicles for the common man. Yes, people like me who care about fuel economy and need my car to work every single day, plus desire value for my money. They engineer vehicles that are practical, safe and very well put together.

5) Driver's car- aka Passion and other touchy feely stuff - To put this into context, one of my closest friends who is a part time racer (SCAA mostly), simply put it this way . Passion is mainly resident between the steering wheel and the back of the seat.
The rest is knowing how to set up your car for the track you are in .

Erm .. To many typo's in the entry above. Your discretion in ignoring them will be highly appreciated. :D

"Too the legions of people talking about boring cars etc etc. Please look at the DNA of toyota, it was never a sports car company or about selling to the rich."

But that DOESN'T MEAN they can't be excellent cars. Look at Honda, VW, Nissan and Mazda. They all offer products that are great to drive, but still attainable by a normal person. Honda and VW also have exceptional interiors and attractive styling. Performance? Toyota doesn't have it. Styling is subjective, but most would agree that Hondas, Mazdas, VWs and Nissans look better. As for interiors, Toyota is starting to show signs of struggling, while the other four are holding strong (VW, Honda) or improving at a drastic rate (Mazda, Nissan).

You people keep buying those Jap owned cars and you to will be bowing to your superior one and being told what you can buy. Have you seen the value of the dollar, Wake up folks.