you know, i've got nothing against toyota. they have a reputation for making a fine car at a reasonable price, and their latest gas pedal recall problems could probably have happened to anyone, and may be more media exaggeration and political posturing than anything else. unless it can be proven toyota has known all along about the problem and been conducting a criminal cover-up, i'm willing to look the other way providing they accept responsibility, correct the problem, and make good any damages.

but the string of tv commercials the company has been running for damage control since this issue first popped up makes my flesh crawl. i'm sure you've seen them: sweet old couples, down-home good-ole boys, stereotypical families, all testifying to their ultimate confidence in the product. do these people have so little respect for their customers that they expect us to fall for this tripe?

it might be a lot more effective if a company spokesman (preferably, a real japanese executive of the firm) came on camera and told us straight up that they recognized the problem and were doing everything possible to set it right; followed by a sincere apology. we all make honest mistakes, and we all respect those who accept responsibility for them. i'd even be willing to consider buying next year's toyota.

instead we get a media blitz of marketing crap. it only leads me to suspect that maybe there's more to this problem than just sticky linkages and sliding floor mats, and that the fix will be a patch, rather than an effective correction of a problem that may be much more widespread, and fundamental. the very fact that toyota has directed their north american advertising flunkies to put together these insulting commercials tells me someone needs to take a very good look at the engine control microprocessors in these vehicles.