Re: It is a lot like global warming
that's exactly what the buzz is in japan, where toyota is considered (with justification) a national treasure. many japanese believe this is an american plot to discredit their auto industry.
yeah, there are lots of parallels with global warming. even if the truth is not clear, the motives to lie and cheat are, and how toyota and the japanese will react is perfectly predictable. they tend to gain the most if this problem just goes away.
my own opinion (admittedly based on insufficient information or automotive expertise) is that it is neither a sinister american conspiracy or a treacherous japanese cover-up, but that there is no reason yet to rule out that it's a real problem that must be investigated.