New Toyota Introductions May Be Delayed Due to Quality Issues

Recent Bout of Recalls Causes Toyota to Make Changes

Its not a figment of the imagination. There really are more recalls now that ever before. Why? Its not because of any greater number of quality issues with modern-day vehicles; a quick glance at J.D. Power Initial Quality Study stats or Consumer Reports survey information will attest to that, but rather, automakers are becoming more vigilant than ever in uncovering problems before they become lawsuits, and are extremely quick to remedy the various situations.

Toyota, however, has always seemed immune to the massive recalls that the Big 3 and many German automakers have suffered through, that is until recently. Now, a barrage of rather large recalls has caused Japans number one brand to take a look inward, and for their sake hopefully find out what might have changed along the road to success after what has long seemed like an infallible knack for building ultra-reliable vehicles.

During this process of introspection Toyota may delay some of its new model introductions slated for later this year, inferred to the companys president Katsuaki Watanabe, Friday, saying that, on a case-by-case basis Toyota would decide which models to hold back from launch.

"We try to affirm each process," Watanabe stated to reporters at a demonstration of new safety features just outside of Tokyo. "And in that process, some may be delayed, and some may be on time."

In a knee-jerk reaction the companys shares fell nominally at Fridays close, by 60 yen ($0.51) to 6,250 yen ($53.36), a 0.95 percent drop. This may have been as a result of a Wall Street Journal report that that said Toyota was considering pulling back the introduction of some new models by as much as six months due to quality issues.

Watanabes approach, however, which is to make certain its quality-control measures are fully carried out with each new model, might be just whats needed to restore confidence amongst some potential customers who have heard the automakers cars arent as reliable now as they once were, through neighbors or colleagues who may have recently purchased one of the automakers vehicles and have experienced trouble or via news reports.

What is being done to rectify the problem? Watanabe said that Toyota is reviewing everything, from the design of its cars and processes, to its parts and suppliers, plus studying buyers complaints.

"I feel we are making progress," Watanabe stated. He added, however, that he didnt have knowledge of any particular vehicles that might be delayed by the new initiative.