are people now trying to put toyota in a bad light just because toyota is the biggest? or prius?

Perhaps you missed the news from the Muslim countries.

Sure, there are other reasons to hate the U.S., but being the biggest and most powerful doesn't help. People are fascinated by power and success. They either worship it or vilify it.

Obviously Toyota is only a business. Lacking a military, they don't exert the power and influence of a superpower nation, but in the world of industry they are a superpower. The U.S. auto companies have been on death's door for a long time. Many see this as a David and Goliath fight, and would like nothing more than to see the big guy fall.

Tom