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LA Times: Toyota's Rivals Rush to Fill Void

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Patrick Wong, Feb 23, 2010.

  1. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Toyota's rivals rush to fill void - latimes.com
    "In an example of the new head winds Toyota faces, Consumer Reports will announce Tuesday that it will dramatically reduce the number of Toyota models that it recommends as good buys. Toyota, the world's biggest automaker, had long dominated vehicle recommendations of what many view as the car buyer's bible...

    A year ago, Consumer Reports recommended 22 of the 25 Toyota products it tested, more than any other manufacturer. This year it recommends 13 of 26 Toyotas.

    The magazine is passing on eight of the models caught up the recalls.

    By comparison, 13 of 20 Ford models earned Consumer Reports recommendations, 12 of 14 Hondas, 15 of 17 Nissans and five of seven models made by South Korean upstart Hyundai.

    Even GM, which does not fare well in the overall ratings with just seven of 26 models recommended, did place two vehicles -- Chevrolet's Silverado and Traverse -- into Consumer Reports' roster of Top Picks, the first time in six years a domestic manufacturer has landed two vehicles on the coveted list. Meanwhile, Toyota's Highlander and RAV4 SUVs dropped off the list."
     
    #1 Patrick Wong, Feb 23, 2010
  2. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    I think it's interesting how to some extent this confirms the recurrent charge many have had of Consumer Reports' bias towards Toyota. Much of the goodwill many have had toward the company has apparently been extinguished in the wake of the Toyota recall/scandal/whatever affair. This is probably a good thing in some respects, as it will force reviews (even as faulty as the process can be) to be more objective rather than relying heavily on reputation.
     
    #2 a_gray_prius, Feb 23, 2010
  3. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    Amen!
     
    #3 malorn, Feb 23, 2010
  4. Pohaku

    Pohaku Member

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    Interesting. It isn't clear to me how you reach the conclusion that CR's suspension of recommendations for Toyota models subject to recalls confirms a charge of bias towards Toyota. Care to elaborate? As far as I can tell, they have simply elected not to include Toyota models subject to recall in their recommendations.
     
    #4 Pohaku, Feb 23, 2010
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    When a newly designed model is introduced, CR typically withholds awarding "recommended" status until sufficient time has elapsed so that the annual subscriber survey can report on the reliability of the model.

    However, in the case of Toyota, CR in the past designated newly designed models as "recommended" although no failure data existed, on the assumption that the Toyota badge guaranteed the model must be reliable. That assumption was valid in the past, but CR now feels it no longer is valid.

    Would you call this former practice of CR's bias, or not? :confused:
     
    #5 Patrick Wong, Feb 23, 2010
  6. Pohaku

    Pohaku Member

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    I don't know that I would necessarily call that biased. It sounds as if they based that practice on prior experience with the quality/performance of other Toyota models. Did they treat any other brands the same way -- Honda for instance? Have they indicated that they will no longer use this approach with any manufacturer's cars? I don't think that using general historical quality/performance data for a manufacturer to make recommendations regarding its new models necessarily displays bias, as long as that same approach is applied to all manufacturers.

    It still isn't clear to me that what they have currently done - elected not to make any recommendation on recalled Toyota models - a situation where there is clearly an issue with the specific recalled models - is indicative of past bias.

    If anything, this current issue with Toyota recalls may now preclude them from making such recommendations about new Toyota models since Toyota's quality history is now sullied.
     
    #6 Pohaku, Feb 23, 2010
  7. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    This is what I am referring to - I did not call it bias. I said the charge of bias was leveled against Consumer Reports. There is a difference.
     
    #7 a_gray_prius, Feb 23, 2010
  8. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    IMO stating that a new model in its 1st year has long term reliability is either bias or BS. The name of the manufacturer shouldn't matter.
     
    #8 JimN, Feb 23, 2010
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