By now, you must have at least heard of Toyota’s pedal recall that began to first shoved its ugly head into our lives in the beginning of 2010. And as loyal readers of GM Authority may have read, General Motors took advantage of the recall and offered incentives to those who traded in a Toyota vehicle for a GM product. But was GM overly aggressive in doing so?
This was the topic of an hour-long conversation of the fourth episode of the GM Authority Debate podcast (that you can listen to here). And no matter what we had to say on the matter, GM is still being criticized by certain members of the auto industry for targeting Toyota and Lexus owners.
For exemple, American International Automobile Dealers Association President Cody Lusk issued the following statement on the matter:
“On the heels of Toyota’s voluntary appearances before Congress, General Motors has wasted no time in trying to capitalize on the travails of Toyota. This reeks of pure politics, poor taste, and questionable business practices for a government-owned company to target one manufacturer in an attempt to conquest customers. I hope GM and our Auto Task Force rethink such a short-sighted strategy and focus on the real issue at hand – building quality vehicles American consumers want to buy.”
Is Mr. Lusk right on the money or does he simply not get it?
The way we see it, competition is competition. GM isn’t engaging in any unfair business practices, nor is it harming any lives in the process. And it’s certainly not putting anyone in danger with its incentives for Toyota and Lexus owners. For GM, this is business – plain and simple!
Now that the recall is beginning to subside and the mainstream media has ceased its erroneous coverage , what do you think? Talk to us in the comments!
[Image Courtesy of ToughSledding.com]
Comments
I love the fact that GM had the guts to use the Toyota recall as a way to get more sales. Toyota thought it could pull something on the American people and when they get caught they run home like a girly girl! Remember this is the same company that tells all their customers how much different they are from everyone else but when they get caught with their hand in the cookie jar they cry for their mommy and then say the American government is acting unfairly. I wonder how GM and Ford feel about the market restrictions that are placed on them when they sell cars in Japan or should I say try to sell cars in Japan!!!!!!
Just think of the deaths that could have been prevented if Toyota told people that their is a problem or would the guy sitting in jail for killing three people with a runaway Toyota think that GM was being unfair!
I think what it all comes dows to is this question: “would Toyota have done the same if GM were in its shoes?”
I’m not sure, but my gut feeling is leaning towards “yes.”
It would give big T the opportunity to bury GM now that it was on its death bed.
I can remember seeing ads from local Toyota dealers making light of GM’s bankrupcy situation.
It may or may not have been “officially sanctioned” by headquarters, but my guess is that they knew it was going on.
Hats off to GM for dumping it back on Toyota.
This is agreat case of pulling the wool over your own eyes..
GM collaborating with toyota since 1984?
it is no surprise to any one with eyes that the innovative style of the Malibu is coincident to the evolution of the camry from compact japanese toyota to full sze American made sedan. The recalls of toyota brands is only a sideeffect of the intermarrige of these companies. now GM has the american ‘consumer’ over a barrel advertizing the Malibu as competition with the camry.
I’m not sure I understood completely – but it seems you’re implying that Toyota’s recall is a result of its collaboration with GM… is that right?
If so, nothing can be further from the truth. If it were, what about Honda’s recalls? Is GM responsible for those too? Oh wait, the two companies never had any kind of “intermarriage.” As for the “evolution” of the Malibu in relation to the Camry… well, what do you expect Chevy to do? Sit on its proverbial ass while Toyota dominates the midsize segment (yes, the Camry is a midsizer, so is the Malibu). Chevy had to compete, so it engineered and designed a vehicle people seemed to like – and it did so as closely as possible to the competitor that seems to be having the most success (Toyota, Camry).
In my opinino, the Malibu is a better vehicle than the Camry – end of story. Drive them back to back and you’ll realize why this is the case. So how does GM have the “American consumer over a barrel,” exactly?
All’s fair in love and war right? GM was not in the wrong at all. After all, Toyota learned a lot of their stuff from the General anyway. And since Toyota is one of the most unoriginal companies I’ve seen before in my life, I could careless. The cars they design are just vanilla looking, and the exciting cars they make are just failed attempts at copying other brands ie. The FJ Cruiser. That vehicle, although it was to resemble an older Land Cruiser, screamed MINI Cooper in looks. Their Scion brand seemed to be based on the fact that since BMW started a new brand, they could too. And judging by their cars, we all know Toyota wants to be BMW. Am I proud to say that my wife and I have a Toyota in our fleet. NO!! It’s her Celica and I’m proud to say I DON’T drive it!! In the end, it seems like because the General took advantage of a good opportunity, people are having a fit. Too many Americans want to see the General fail.