Homework
Case: Toyota: Accelerating Problems
In your own words, summarize what mistake did Toyota do from a marketing perspective?
Summarize what you can learn from this case.
• Can a firm guarantee complete product safety? Discuss.
• Even though Toyota vehicles were exonerated of electronic malfunctions, do you think Toyota took an appropriate stance by maintaining "driver error" was the cause of the sudden accelerations of their vehicles? Why or why not?
• Has this crisis permanently tarnished a brand that until recently consumers considered synonymous with quality and reliability?
• Toyota says it has a renewed focus on quality, safety, and reliability. Critics claim that Toyota's changes are a false front. Do you think Toyota's sudden acceleration problems are resolved, or do critics make a case?
• If a Toyota driver uses floor mats not made for his specific vehicle, do you think he should take some of the blame if a floor mat jams the throttle open? Discuss.
• Do you think the NHTSA should be blamed in the Toyota deaths and injuries? Why or why not? Should consumers expect regulators to be able to identify the source of problems in products that they regulate?
• Have you had any experience with a Toyota? If so, what is your perception of its reliability and safety?
• Toyota is dragging its feet and blaming "driver error" for the sudden acceleration recalls. US regulators say Toyota is "a little safety deaf." Consumers are uncertain and frustrated. You are a consultant brought in to help Toyota with the public relations crisis. Be as specific as you can in recommending a course of action and prioritizing tasks to undertake. Make any assumptions you need to, but keep them reasonable. Defend your recommendations. (Do not be swayed by what actually happened. Things could have been handled better.)
• You are a trusted aide of President Aiko Toyoda. Support his practice of genchi genbutsu (getting out of the office and visiting the source of a problem) before the US Congress.
• Play devil's advocate. In a staff meeting of senior Toyota executives in 2003, the topic comes up that in production testing the Toyota Sienna minivan encountered an "unwanted acceleration." The group passes off this incident as "isolated" and supports not reporting the finding to the NHTSA. Argue persuasively a contrary position.
• INVITATION TO RESEARCH (Complete the "Invitation to Research". Make sure you refer to external sources for your answer.)
Has Toyota experienced additional recalls since the case? If so, how did it respond? Has Toyota held or regained its position as the world's number-one carmaker? If not, what is keeping it from regaining this position? If so, what actions on Toyota's part helped it? How are the lawsuits against Toyota progressing?
• If you were to be appointed as the Chief Marketing Officer of Toyota during the accelerating problem crises, what would be your actions be? Explain in detail.
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
o The answer should be typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides.
o The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
o Also include a reference page. The Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.
Attachment:- TO-CASE.rar