The corporate culture that has charged Toyota’s ascendance in the automotive world isn’t without its pitfalls. Pride in quality products has driven the automaker for decades and the recent spate of issues with the Tundra – from snapping camshafts, cracking tailgates and faulty torque converters – is making Toyota executives realize that exponential growth is not without its pains.
Speaking with Automotive News at the Tokyo Motor Show, ToMoCo’s global manufacturing exec admitted that problems with the automaker’s full-size pickup have caused “shame” within the company. Takeshi Uchiyamada cited the rapid expansion of Toyota’s production facilities, increased sales and issues with new products as being the major dilemmas facing the automaker, but that all these problems are being addressed. Recognizing the issue is half the battle, but time will tell whether or not Toyota’s break-neck pace will continue to hamper the Japanese firm’s growth.
Toyota Tundra woes "shame" automaker
