Car Buyers Beware

The San Francisco Chronicle's editorial page editor writes, "For an even more searingly personal look at how Toyota lost its way, go to the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (Nummi) plant in Fremont, where the most profitable automaker in the world is preparing for its first major plant closure, bidding farewell to 4,700 workers who bought into the idea that they would have job security if they did their jobs well."

The consumer advocacy group, Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety (CARS), joined with labor advocates today as they began a revolutionary grassroots safety program to help ensure that new cars delivered to consumers are transported properly. Both groups have concerns about the quality of service being performed by automobile transport companies Fiat/Chrysler has started using, after moving the work away from experienced, professional carriers.

With millions of cars and trucks on Toyota’s massive recall list, several drivers whose vehicles have been to the dealer and back are saying that their cars are still experiencing problems with sudden acceleration and bad braking.

A blue-ribbon commission appointed by California State Treasurer Bill Lockyer met in San Francisco to examine the effects of Toyota's planned NUMMI plant closure, and to examine options to keep it open. The commission appointed by Lockyer included:

At auto shows across the country the weekend of January 29-31; in Philadelphia, New Jersey, Texas and Washington, D.C. – union carhaul drivers and consumer advocates spoke out about auto makers that are threatening good jobs and auto safety.

Leaders from the Teamsters, the United Auto Workers (UAW), Friends of the Earth, Safety Research & Strategies and Jobs with Justice rallied at the Japanese Embassy asking Japan's Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama to hold Toyota accountable for threatening public safety, the environment, and American jobs.  

Honda is turning away from professional auto transport companies and moving to car carriers that may create serious hidden damages to cars delivered to dealers. Improperly secured and transported vehicles can sustain hidden damages to tires, rims, axles and the overall frame. This can threaten your safety and lead to costly repair bills - see the photos below.

Toyota has just announced a new recall of 2.3 million cars and trucks due to a defect that can cause throttles to stick and lead to unintended acceleration. They have been forced to stop selling these models, and have halted production as well.