Toyota CEO admits growth cost quality

Posted Thu Mar 13 2008 6:15 AM by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

Toyota is widely recognized for its reliability and quality but the past 12 months have seen a number of major product recalls that have tarnished the carmaker's reputation. At the same time Toyota has risen to become the world’s biggest carmaker, producing a record 9,497,754 vehicles last year and eclipsing GM for the first time in 77 years.

Toyota’s President Katsuaki Watanabe has now revealed that this rapid growth was the key factor behind the quality problems, reports Automotive News. Speaking at the Japan National Press Club, Watanabe noted the reasons behind the defects were varied, spanning development, design, production, suppliers and maintenance and even gave the problem a name, “big company disease.”

The problems also led to a number of vehicles being delayed, however Watanabe assured reporters that Toyota has improved quality controls and will meet its sales targets. Officials have now analyzed each of the problems, attempting to track the root causes and coming up with ways to prevent a recurrence, Watanabe explained.

Reader Comments

Thu Mar 13 2008 7:07 AM
chris says

big company disease? how about pushing all your resources to the limit disease?
Thu Mar 13 2008 9:05 AM
Stewie says

It is a shame that it took that many recalls & public notice for them to make the effort.
Fri Mar 14 2008 12:43 AM
sady says

toyota camry is a most attractive car.its look so amazing.i love this car
its look bussiness class car.

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