Quick hard fall from No. 1 in car world
Toyota's relentless drive to overtake GM as the world's largest carmaker had barely occurred when quality problems, induced possibly by the rush to rule, forced recalls of millions of suspect cars, and the unthinkable: a manufacturing shutdown of some of its best sellers.
Toyota's defensive reaction, amazingly, still appears tone-deaf. Meanwhile, Ford is now making money and turning out critically acclaimed and popular new cars while chugging along just fine at 16 percent market share.
It's a long, hard climb to No 1, but the descent can be quick and catastrophic.
Walt Zlotow
Glen Ellyn
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