Tests fail to duplicate acceleration problem in Prius

[tk-421]

Originally Posted by sbergman27

Show me a single case of unintended acceleration where there is actual evidence to back up the claim that it was the car and not the driver in error, which doesn't have notably suspicious aspects to it calling into question the claim's validity.

That's not my point. Even if every single one of those 52 deaths are not related, don't you think Toyota should take every precaution, if only to keep people off their backs? I, for one, would feel much safer knowing that their technicians are open to the idea that they are not perfect and constantly improving their testing methodologies because of it.

To me, one 2 hour test on one car under controlled driving conditions (that are likely quite different from what these drivers experienced at the time) is just not enough to put the issue to rest.

Even if it *is* because of driver error (which it may very well be, I'm no expert), don't you think it's Toyota's responsibility to inform the public about the issue as best it can?

[sbergman27]

Originally Posted by tk-421

I, for one, would feel much safer knowing that their technicians are open to the idea that they are not perfect and constantly improving their testing methodologies because of it...
...
... don't you think it's Toyota's responsibility to inform the public about the issue as best it can?

Short of suing their customers and the mass media, I'm not sure what more they could be doing. Not one of the alleged incidents has been reproducible with the vehicle that the alleged incident has allegedly happened in. And you can bet they've done a huge amount of testing internally. How do you fix a problem which only exists in the imaginations of millions of people?

The root of the problem is that so many people are willing to believe extraordinary claims in the absence of evidence. But that problem has evaded solution for all of recorded history. And no doubt for a long time before that.

-Steve

[tk-421]

Originally Posted by sbergman27

And you can bet they've done a huge amount of testing internally

And my point is, if they have done this testing they should really let us know about it! Not only show results, but the actual methodology that was implemented. Which driving conditions were contemplated during testing? Were the cars brand new? Did they account for both mechanical and electrical scenarios? That kind of thing...

That way people with inquisitive minds will be more easily satisfied, and discussions would be rendered moot.

BTW I apologize if this information is actually out there and I just missed it.

[sbergman27]

Originally Posted by tk-421

And my point is, if they have done this testing they should really let us know about it! Not only show results, but the actual methodology that was implemented.

I would not be averse to a more vigorous defense on Toyota's part. And, in fact, they may be trying. Toyota has two main organized enemies in this battle:

1. The U.S. Federal Government.

2. The mass media.

Unfortunately, unless they want to take out infomercial time on TV, whatever information they are trying to get out to the public gets filtered through #2.

Or perhaps the lack of a more forceful defense is a Japanese cultural thing. I really don't know.

But I do agree that something more is needed. I'm hoping that they are working on a real knock-out punch regarding Mr. Sikes' stunt. Something that might shift the suspicion over to all the other balloon boy claimants out there with no evidence to back up their stories. Which is where it belonged in the first place. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

-Steve