Analogous to local ferries
Toyota’s recent problems with sudden, unexpected acceleration [“The car-computer conundrum,” News, Feb. 5] is reminiscent of the similar problems experienced by the Issaquah-class ferries when they were new.
Their engines were controlled from the pilothouse via computers that proved to be unreliable. They sent erroneous signals to the engines, causing them to speed up or slow down against the wishes of the pilot. In one case, a computer caused a ferry to pull away from the dock while it was loading cars.
Washington State Ferries solved the problem by junking the computers and replacing them with “tried-and-true” pneumatic controls. Automobile manufactures should take a lesson from this and stick with the tried-and-true mechanical connections between the gas pedal and the engine.
Computers have their place in automotive technology, but where vital functions like steering, braking and engine speed are concerned, they should only advise the driver and not control those functions.
— Bryan Shrader, Port Townsend
America’s double standards
In August 2007, Mattel — the nation’s largest toy maker — recalled 1.5 million Fisher-Price infant toys made in China due to possible lead paint hazards. Later that year, Simplicity Inc. recalled 1 million Chinese-manufactured drop-side cribs following the death of two infants. Both cases shared one thing in common: products carrying American brands, but manufactured in China. Yet, China was made the villain for the simple reason that they were “made in China” and China should therefore take the blame.
This week, Toyota announced recalls for 4.2 million vehicles — including its best-selling models, Camry and Corolla — due to a sticking gas-pedal problem. The recalls have largely affected U.S. manufactured vehicles that used pedals manufactured by the CTS Corporation of Elkhart, Ind. Toyota has confirmed that vehicles with Vehicle Identification Numbers beginning with “J” — indicating Japanese origin of assembly — are not affected.
If we use the same logic as Chinese toy and crib recalls, the country that manufactured the problematic parts should be blamed. Then, let’s all blame America, not Toyota, for making unsafe vehicles. Otherwise, it’s really not fair for Toyota. America loves to treat itself and others with double standards.
At least, Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda has apologized. Did Bernie Madoff do the same?
— Yitan Li, Seattle
Media bias toward Toyota?
The Times has presented daily series of prominent articles all highly critical of the quality of Toyota automobiles. In some of them, we learn that the U.S. government is investigating complaints from Toyota owners.
It occurs that other brands of autos may also receive such complaints, since many millions of them are operated every day. So why is it that only Toyotas appear in such bad light in the media? Could this be a national campaign to hurt Toyota, so that GM and Chrysler — owned by the U.S. government — might sell more autos?
And why is The Times indifferent to the huge conflict of interest arising from investigations by our government of Toyota — one of its largest competitors in the manufacture and sales of autos?
— Hank Bradley, Seattle
King of the hill
Toyota is where Detroit was in the’70s: sitting on “top of the heap,” fat and lazy.
Japan is right where the U.S. companies were for years, cutting corners to compete, faced with rising wages, a poor business plan and more competition from slightly “awakened” U.S. automakers,
South Korea is where Japan used to be. Their cars rival and in many ways exceed what Japan and the U.S. can offer — and at a much better price. It’s time for those folk who have not looked beyond Japanese companies to see the transition. America builds great cars, give them a chance. If not, Hyundai builds in the U.S. as well.
— Rick Eirich, Kirkland