Archive for February, 2010

First they have an issue with unexpected acceleration, now they have an issue with brakes which may cause unexpected non-stoppage.

Complaints in the U.S. and Japan about brake problems in Toyota’s popular Prius hybrid have swelled to about 180, adding to the string of quality troubles for the world’s biggest automaker.

The news Thursday of a significant number of new brake complaints comes as Toyota grapples with massive global recalls — linked to faulty gas pedals and floor mats that can jam accelerators — that are battering its image.

I’m sure this image battering was unexpected too.

Don’t most companies wait to address an issue until there is some sort of threat on the part of consumers? I’m pretty sure this isn’t isolated to Toyota.

Toyota came under fire from a top US official for its handling of a massive recall Tuesday as the giant Japanese carmaker scrambled to reassure customers on safety.

US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Toyota’s recall of millions of vehicles with defective pedals that can get stuck and cause unwanted acceleration came only after pressure from the US government.

“Since questions were first raised about possible safety defects, we have been pushing Toyota to take measures to protect consumers,” LaHood said in a statement.

This is going to cost Toyota billions.

Back in the early 1990’s I had a Toyota truck. I had this problem back then.

Toyota Motor Corp is facing a growing number lawsuits from consumers who complain their vehicles suddenly accelerate or may do so, and want the world’s largest automaker to pay for it.

Last week, Toyota stopped selling eight models in the United States and Canada, including its popular Camry and Corolla, because of possible unintended acceleration.

It’s about time they addressed this issue.

The Goole App Store is coming!

Google may open as early as March an online store to sell third-party software that complements its Google Apps collaboration and communication hosted suite, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

Google would let customers purchase the software from its store and charge the third-party developers a commission, according to the Journal, whose article was based on anonymous sources.

A Google spokeswoman reached via e-mail declined to comment specifically on the Journal article, but she pointed out that Google already has a site called Solutions Marketplace where it features applications and professional services from third-party developers that complement Google Apps and other Google enterprise products.

Pardon me while I don’t get too terribly excited. I’ve heard the Nexus One is a nice “entry” model, but several people I know have ditched theirs because it’s too “entry”. If you know what I mean.