Toyota voted world’s most respected company

Posted Mon Jul 7 2008 5:25 PM by James Martinez

Troubling economic times have hit many companies - especially carmakers - hard, tarnishing brand image and decreasing confidence in their fitness for the future. Toyota seems to have escaped untouched, however, with a recent survey naming it the most respected company in the world. A comprehensive survey by New York-based private research and consulting firm Reputation Institute took stock of over 1,000 companies’ brand images, evaluating respondents’ perceptions of trust, esteem, admiration and good feeling to determine the final result.

Ranking as the only vehicle manufacturer with a score of more than 80 - placing it in the top tier of all manufacturers - Toyota also finished first in five of seven categories overall, earning it the title of World’s Most Respected company.

Strong consumer perceptions of quality and value along with safety and reliability put the Toyota brand at the top of the charts. The way the company stands behind its products also influenced the results, showing that not only consumers, but the company itself, has confidence in the cars produced.

That confidence has been shaken somewhat in recent years as Toyota continues to grow into one of the largest carmakers in the world. Earlier this year its CEO, Katsuaki Watanabe, admitted that brisk growth had cost the company some of its quality control, referring to the problem as ‘big company disease.’

Specific issues caused by the rapid expansion include a number of recalls and model development delays, though Watanabe was quick to point out that Toyota has analyzed the problem and implemented policies to reduce or remove the root causes. Those underlying issues stem from the vast network of suppliers, designers, producers and developers involved in the production and distribution of Toyota’s cars.

Reader Comments

Mon Jul 7 2008 10:38 PM
Roman says

you have got to be kidding me. they must have gotten the sample size from the assembly plant.
Mon Jul 7 2008 11:52 PM
bambam says

I don't want Toyota to know, but its not just a cures of the big companies(microsoft, GM).
But its simple logic, the more you have, more the risk. But its better if they don't know, therefor they can always keep trying.
Tue Jul 8 2008 5:38 AM
HECTOR says

I would be a lot more impressed if I didn't go everywhere with my rearview mirror turned down because a Lexus RX is bouncing 1000 watts of light off of it.

Or if I didn't have to avert my eyes every time I saw one of those Corollas like the one in the picture coming my way and or be left with seeing dark spots after being blinded.

I don't forget Toyota is in the forefront of the *let's blind the crap out of other motorists* trend with their high intensity, high glare, completely useless DRLs. Therefore I'll never buy one of their products, no matter how good they are. I'll take my business over to Nissan.
Tue Jul 8 2008 8:55 AM
Dane says

Revenge of the nerds...............

Wow there are that many uneducated and stupid people out there huh???? Bless America!!!!!!

Have they driven anything else???? I would be in a coffin before I would be in a Toyota again....

and they didn't ask my opinion... who did they poll, people who just pulled out of a hour old Toyota and know one else???? Don't believe everything you read people....

Crap, lies and marketing................................ Bulls%^t....
Sun Jul 13 2008 5:41 PM
Boog says

Toyotas are respected because they are in fact the most reliable vehicles on the road. So, it is well-deserved and it is earned, not imagined. I have a Toyota and a Nissan vehicle, and I have never had more reliable vehicles. As far as reliability is concerned, no vehicles in the world are more reliable than Japanese vehicles.

MotorAuthority