Toyota

I don't have all the facts about what's been going wrong with Toyota's cars lately. I know what is commonly known: that there were gas pedal problems, that there have been other and newer problems, that the 'corporation' may have been slow to deal with it. But what I don't know is what in particular may be wrong with Toyota's corporate culture that is supposedly worse than other companies that makes it so darn bad.

Here's my point: Toyota had a problem, but has taken enormous heat for it. I think there is an overreaction and Toyota will benefit in the end.

As for the overreaction: this is ironic, because Toyota is known for safety and reliability. Maybe this story is sensational because the narrative has been busted, and there are no facts in media - just narratives. Busted narratives provoke narrative rearrangements, and that equals news. But I wonder if Toyota is not the victim of coordination - GM has always sponsored big media types, is owned by Barack Obama, and even conservatives have trouble speaking against homegrown industry. This is a little conspiratorial, but I wouldn't rule it out because I don't think there is enough evidence out there that Toyota deserves the attention it is getting, and the busted narrative theory doesn't explain the ongoing hysteria (and congressional hearings).

All in all, one thing in particular has contributed to the hysteria: Toyota's actions. What are these? More and more and more recalls. But Toyota is smarter than you and I, and will win in the end. Why?

Toyota has always been trusted as a safe car company. Their reputation was already above those of the American car companies. They made a mistake - okay, what about the Firestone controversy, what about the recalls that occur routinely for American cars?
But because they took so much flak for it, Toyota must now be extremely careful, more careful than before. Since their reputation is bad now, they might as well engage in a bunch of recalls until their standards are fully updated on the production side. I think this explains the recalls - what doesn't explain the recalls is that Toyota is just a failure right now.

In the end, Toyota will have such high standards, that when the hysteria blows over it will be branded as the 'extra-safe' company. So, they will win in the end, and I think this is their specific strategy.

Too bad for you, American Big Labor.