Serious break-downs weaken Toyota

The recall of millions of cars has sent Toyota's monthly sales in the US plummeting to their lowest figure in more than a decade. The continuing series of failures has damaged Toyota's image as a dependable auto company, writes the daily Les Echos: "The Toyota affair is only beginning. It will last for a while. ... The US, which has spent billions of dollars to save its own dying giants General Motors and Chrysler, will be pleased to see the Japanese know-it-all fail. ... Up till now, Toyota's performance has truly been flawless. But now, because of too many cost cuts, the giant is skidding out of control. At first it tried to take only one supplier for each unimportant part of as many models as possible. When the part was faulty, millions of cars had to be recalled. All other car companies have been affected already by such incidents. ... Toyota has dropped to the level of its competitors."

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