# How long before the Toyota CEO commits seppuku? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 17, 2010, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344 "2010-02-17T16:19:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344/41 "2010-02-17T21:27:23Z")
No I hadn’t, but thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344/42 "2010-02-18T01:45:26Z")
No ritual suicide happening. They’re blaming the recall on foreign-made (American-made) components. > **[In Toyota City, recalls are blamed on foreign components](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/in-toyota-city-recalls-are-blamed-on-foreign-components-1888499.html)** > > Toyota City, about 200 miles east of Tokyo, once appeared on the map – if it appeared at all – as Koromo. But in 1959 town leaders renamed it after the up-and-coming local car producer, and twinned their modest town with the then global centre of... ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344/43 "2010-02-18T01:47:09Z")
Okay so no Seppuku, but can we at least get a pinky severing? ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344/44 "2010-02-18T02:47:44Z")
They have been Americanized. At least to the degree that they will push the limit to make profits. Cut corners and hurry up to make delivery. The Big 3 would balance law suits against the cost of repair and fix it if it cost more in suits than the fix, then they would take care of it. Airlines do the same. If a hatch can fall of killing people, they will determine the likelihood of the accident killing passengers. They will multiply the deaths by 3.5 million and then determine if the fix costs more. That is business. In China they might be put to death. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344/45 "2010-02-18T02:49:44Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > You can do this in an automatic as well. > > Of course, downshifting to mitigate brake failure is right out with an auto. Really? How does one shove in the clutch in an automatic? ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344/46 "2010-02-18T02:55:06Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Really? How does one shove in the clutch in an automatic? Put it in neutral. FWIW, you CAN pull back a gear in an automatic to save the brakes on a steep grade. ---
**Author:** ![Keweenaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Keweenaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keweenaw)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344/47 "2010-02-18T03:01:05Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > Does the CEO micromanage to the point where they’re looking at part designs? > > Give them credit for doing a recall for a problem that, so far, had affected an infinitesimally small percentage of their cars. That in itself, I would think, is the honorable thing to do. The US government forced them to do a recall. They don’t deserve credit for that at all. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344/48 "2010-02-18T03:21:44Z")
> [@Rumor\_Watkins](#): > > **How long before the Toyota CEO commits seppuku?** There’s a rumor going around that he will have to drive a Toyota. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344/49 "2010-02-18T05:46:57Z")
> [@Rumor\_Watkins](#): > > yes, this is a TIC title. Count me as the third person in the thread to ask you outright what the heck “TIC” means. I did some searching, but none of the definitions I found seem to fit. What are you talking about? ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344/50 "2010-02-18T06:13:49Z")
[Acronym Finder](http://www.acronymfinder.com/TIC.html) had Tongue-In-Cheek as a suggestion. I assumed it to mean that. ---
**Author:** ![horsetech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dec6dc/32.png) [@horsetech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/horsetech)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344/51 "2010-02-18T06:19:36Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > Okay so no Seppuku, but can we at least get a pinky severing? I think we’ll have to settle for a paper cut and some lemon juice. I read TIC as standing for Tongue In Cheek. Somewhat OT, but starting before this story came out I have had several nightmares in which the car I was driving kept speeding up until I was standing on the brakes to keep the speed steady. At least maybe it will occur to me now in my dream to put the car into neutral (my nightmare car is always automatic, and I usually drive manual). ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344/52 "2010-02-18T12:19:05Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > There’s a rumor going around that he will have to drive a Toyota. Wasn’t that originally a Mercedes joke? (I honestly can’t remember.) ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344/53 "2010-02-18T13:38:47Z")
> [@Unintentionally\_Blank](#): > > Put it in neutral. > > FWIW, you CAN pull back a gear in an automatic to save the brakes on a steep grade. Modern electronically-controlled transmissions have no direct mechanical connection between the gear selector and the transmission; the selector is nothing more than an electric switch. In these cars, the control computer will not downshift the transmission if doing so will force the engine to exceed redline RPM. So if you’re in overdrive doing 120 MPH, and try to downshift, nothing will happen. ---
**Author:** ![Keweenaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Keweenaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keweenaw)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344/54 "2010-02-18T13:51:13Z")
> [@Unintentionally\_Blank](#): > > Funny thing is, it’s a worldwide recall for something that 10 people claimed happened to them, 8 of which are bad drivers, one was a fluke, and one was a real genuine problem. Now everyone else is piling on. > > (No, I can’t back that up. But really, if people don’t know how to shift into neutral, signal, and coast to the side of the road, that’s not completely Toyota’s fault.) 34 deaths and 22 injuries according to NHTSA. Plus several lawsuits that never made it into the database. [http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-02-16/toyota-acceleration-complaints-cite-34-deaths-u-s-data-show.html](http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-02-16/toyota-acceleration-complaints-cite-34-deaths-u-s-data-show.html) ---
**Author:** ![Keweenaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Keweenaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keweenaw)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344/55 "2010-02-18T13:52:39Z")
> [@ItsInTheCards](#): > > Just a little point I’d like to make. > > Toyota is not the only car manufacturer using these “defective parts”. However, they are the only one correcting the potential problem. What car manufacturer is using these parts and not correcting the potential problem? ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344/56 "2010-02-18T14:35:30Z")
> [@Joe Frickin Friday](#): > > Modern electronically-controlled transmissions have no direct mechanical connection between the gear selector and the transmission; the selector is nothing more than an electric switch. In these cars, the control computer will not downshift the transmission if doing so will force the engine to exceed redline RPM. So if you’re in overdrive doing 120 MPH, and try to downshift, nothing will happen. You put it in neutral and use the brakes. I was referring to selecting D (or whatever specific gear you need in the cases of 5 - 7 speed automatics) while driving down an extended grade to keep from cooking your brakes. “old school” transmissions won’t downshift if doing so will harm the transmission, either. (Says the guy who’s rebuilt his 700r4) Please do not make me get into full-on debate mode on this, it’s the kind of shit that’s really making the straight dope an un-fun place to be. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344/57 "2010-02-18T14:39:53Z")
> [@Keweenaw](#): > > 34 deaths and 22 injuries according to NHTSA. Plus several lawsuits that never made it into the database. > > [http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-02-16/toyota-acceleration-complaints-cite-34-deaths-u-s-data-show.html](http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-02-16/toyota-acceleration-complaints-cite-34-deaths-u-s-data-show.html) Toyota cut production 28%, last year, yet still made 6.8 MILLION vehicles (cite: [http://www.thetorquereport.com/2009/05/toyota\_cuts\_annual\_production.html](http://www.thetorquereport.com/2009/05/toyota_cuts_annual_production.html) ) 34 deaths and 22 injuries? That doesn’t even statistically -register-! ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344/58 "2010-02-18T14:42:01Z")
> [@Unintentionally\_Blank](#): > > Please do not make me get into full-on debate mode on this, it’s the kind of shit that’s really making the straight dope an un-fun place to be. Actually, I’m not really that knowledgeable about cars and I feel like I’ve been learning things from this discussion. For what that’s worth. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344/59 "2010-02-18T14:42:22Z")
> [@tr0psn4j](#): > > [Acronym Finder](http://www.acronymfinder.com/TIC.html) had Tongue-In-Cheek as a suggestion. I assumed it to mean that. Ah. Did anyone else in the thread actually understand that acronym? Or parse it out based on context? Going back, I can see it - but I sure as hell didn’t the first time through. Rumor - would it really have been that hard to type it out? ---
**Author:** ![Keweenaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Keweenaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keweenaw)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344/60 "2010-02-18T14:56:22Z")
> [@Unintentionally\_Blank](#): > > > [@Keweenaw](#): > > > > > [@Unintentionally\_Blank](#): > > > > > > Funny thing is, it’s a worldwide recall for something that 10 people claimed happened to them, 8 of which are bad drivers, one was a fluke, and one was a real genuine problem. Now everyone else is piling on. > > > > > > (No, I can’t back that up. But really, if people don’t know how to shift into neutral, signal, and coast to the side of the road, that’s not completely Toyota’s fault.) > > > > 34 deaths and 22 injuries according to NHTSA. Plus several lawsuits that never made it into the database. > > > > [http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-02-16/toyota-acceleration-complaints-cite-34-deaths-u-s-data-show.html](http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-02-16/toyota-acceleration-complaints-cite-34-deaths-u-s-data-show.html) > > Toyota cut production 28%, last year, yet still made 6.8 MILLION vehicles (cite: [http://www.thetorquereport.com/2009/05/toyota\_cuts\_annual\_production.html](http://www.thetorquereport.com/2009/05/toyota_cuts_annual_production.html) ) > 34 deaths and 22 injuries? That doesn’t even statistically -register-! No, when you make up numbers and then claim that you can’t back them up is when it dosen’t stastistically register. It’s also fostering ignorance. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-the-toyota-ceo-commits-seppuku/529344.md?page=4)