NASA Brought In To Help Solve Toyota’s Recall Problems
By Audrey Howard on March 31, 2010, 6:44 amIt seems that Toyota Motor Company (NYSE:TM) is grasping at straws as it calls in NASA to help with the vehicle fiasco. The long term problems are now going to the most technical group on earth.
Pulling Out All Stops
U.S. regulators announced Tuesday that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is being called in to help with the investigation of sudden acceleration problems along with other reports involving some Toyota vehicles. Also involved in the investigation is the National Academy of Sciences which will be conducting a 15-month study involving the use of computer technology in cars.
It seems that Toyota is desperately searching for excuses involving their car troubles. They are now pointing to the possibility of cosmic radiation causing their vehicles to spin out of control. While this sounds far-fetched, there was a case of an airplane in Australia that did two large drops mid-flight that were not guided by its pilot. It was determined later that the drops were not due to any of the computer systems onboard the aircraft; rather, they were due to a cosmic ray attack. They later had their systems reprogrammed in order to stop the possibility of future cosmic ray attacks.
Toyota’s Stance
Toyota stands firm on their belief that the acceleration problems, which have caused numerous serious accidents and even deaths, have nothing to do with the cars’ software or electronic systems. They claim that their software goes through rigorous tests and is subjected it to outside review. Some speculate that Toyota is dancing around the actual problem in order to save money as it would cost an astronomical amount of money to fix the recalled models if it had to do with the vehicles electronics. Not to mention, they would also pay dearly in more lawsuits.
Related posts:
- DOT & NHTSA Government Weak Link On Toyota Recall Deal
- Toyota Recall Fixes Not Working
- GM Recall: Feds Can’t Even Control Their Own Company Let Alone Toyota
- Yet Another Toyota Recall – This Time Trucks
- Another Toyota Vehicle Goes Out Of Control In California
From all other accounts of this new development, it is not Toyota that is calling in NASA or the NAS.
Toyota also is not grasping for excuses, rather correcting the contributing causes 1 by 1 as they are found. The fact that no indication of an electronics problem can be found makes it impossible to address.
I think Toyota is relieved that NASA is involved, assuming of course that it will be their scientists and not lawyers that are searching for a cause.
It is disturbing, however, that the study begins with the presumption that it is the electronics. Wouldn’t it be more fair to objectively look at all possibilities, rather than just try to prove a cause that the media and lawyers are promoting?
FYI, a software fix (if it is a software problem)would most likely be cheaper than a physical parts fix. No delivery of parts, training of installers, management of inventory, etc.
Businesses using Toyota for corporate fleets or company cars should check out this site: http://www.hbsslaw.com/TFS_investigation