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How many where F150's?
And, the spin continues...
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/mobile/07/02/apple.iphone.apology/index.html?hpt=T2-
Dear iPhone 4 Users,
The iPhone 4 has been the most successful product launch in Apple's history. It has been judged by reviewers around the world to be the best smartphone ever, and users have told us that they love it. So we were surprised when we read reports of reception problems, and we immediately began investigating them. Here is what we have learned.
To start with, gripping almost any mobile phone in certain ways will reduce its reception by one or more bars. This is true of iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, as well as many Droid, Nokia and RIM phones. But some users have reported that iPhone 4 can drop four or five bars when tightly held in a way which covers the black strip in the lower left corner of the metal band. This is a far bigger drop than normal, and as a result some have accused the iPhone 4 of having a faulty antenna design.
At the same time, we continue to read articles and receive hundreds of emails from users saying that iPhone 4 reception is better than the iPhone 3GS. They are delighted. This matches our own experience and testing. What can explain all of this?
We have discovered the cause of this dramatic drop in bars, and it is both simple and surprising.
Upon investigation, we were stunned to find that the formula we use to calculate how many bars of signal strength to display is totally wrong. Our formula, in many instances, mistakenly displays two more bars than it should for a given signal strength. For example, we sometimes display four bars when we should be displaying as few as two bars. Users observing a drop of several bars when they grip their iPhone in a certain way are most likely in an area with very weak signal strength, but they don't know it because we are erroneously displaying four or five bars. Their big drop in bars is because their high bars were never real in the first place.
To fix this, we are adopting AT&T's recently recommended formula for calculating how many bars to display for a given signal strength. The real signal strength remains the same, but the iPhone's bars will report it far more accurately, providing users a much better indication of the reception they will get in a given area. We are also making bars one, two and three a bit taller so they will be easier to see.
We will issue a free software update within a few weeks that incorporates the corrected formula. Since this mistake has been present since the original iPhone, this software update will also be available for the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G.
We have gone back to our labs and retested everything, and the results are the same- the iPhone 4's wireless performance is the best we have ever shipped. For the vast majority of users who have not been troubled by this issue, this software update will only make your bars more accurate. For those who have had concerns, we apologize for any anxiety we may have caused.
As a reminder, if you are not fully satisfied, you can return your undamaged iPhone to any Apple Retail Store or the online Apple Store within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.
We hope you love the iPhone 4 as much as we do.
Thank you for your patience and support.
Apple
I'm thinking Hyundai gets a big chunk of that difference from various back handed deals with the Korean govt and industries. Labor isn't that much cheaper compared to Japan. They may be eating some margin, but still I can't see how Hyundai can be 30% cheaper and make similar profits?
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Toyota Motor Corp. said Friday it intends to recall 138,000 Lexus vehicles in the United States to fix faulty engines in the latest quality problem to afflict the world's No. 1 automaker.
The Japanese automaker said flaws in valve springs, a crucial engine component, could make the vehicle stall while in motion. Toyota confirmed in a statement it plans to file paperwork with the government on the recall next week.
The recall affects certain GS, IS and LS vehicles from the 2006-2008 model years powered by 4.6 and 5.0 liter V8 engines and 3.5 liter V6 engines. No accidents or injuries have been reported. Vehicles from the 2009 and 2010 model years are not affected.
Toyota had announced in Japan that it would recall 270,000 Lexus vehicles around the world to address the engine stalling problems. The global recall affects seven luxury Lexus sedan models as well as the popular Crown sedan, sold primarily in Japan. Of the 270,000 recalled cars, some 180,000 were sold overseas, including the United States, and 90,000 in Japan.
The company has received about 200 complaints in Japan but no accidents were reported there or abroad, said Toyota spokesman Hideaki Homma. Some drivers told Toyota that engines made a strange noise.
The automaker was already scrambling to repair its reputation after 8.5 million vehicles were recalled beginning in October because of problems with sticking accelerator pedals and other issues. Toyota was slapped with a record $16.4 million fine in the United States for acting too slowly to recall vehicles with defects.
Japan's major daily Asahi said Friday the latest recall of 270,000 vehicles could cost Toyota around 20 billion yen ($227 million). Toyota could not confirm the report, which gave no sources.
Toyota will inform Japan's transport ministry of the recall on Monday. The company said it would file its recall report in the U.S. next week. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it had not received official notification of the recall.
Some of the vehicle models covered under the recall include: 2007-2008 GS350 and GS450h; 2008 GS460; 2006-2008 IS350; 2007-2008 LS460 and LS460L; and 2008 LS600hL.
Toyota said owners will be notified of the recall by mail and dealers will repair the engine's valve springs at no charge. The company said owners can continue to drive their vehicles. If they notice vibration, unusual engine sounds or rough idling, they should bring the car to a dealer for service.
Lexus general manager Mark Templin told dealers in an e-mail that "we understand the frustration and embarrassment these recalls cause and appreciate your reassuring Lexus owners that there is nothing more important to us than their safety, satisfaction with our products and confidence in you and the brand."
Toyota dealers have repaired millions of vehicles following the massive global recalls, but the automaker still faces more than 200 lawsuits tied to accidents, the lower resale value of Toyota vehicles, and the drop in the company's stock.
Toyota said last week it will recall 17,000 Lexus luxury hybrids after testing showed that fuel can spill during a rear-end crash.
U.S. regulators were working with scientists from NASA to investigate what caused some of Toyota's vehicles to suddenly accelerate. That review is expected to be completed by late August.
Officials were also investigating whether Toyota waited nearly a year in 2005 to recall trucks and SUVs in the U.S. with defective steering rods, a case that could lead to additional fines.
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The F150, F250 etc are the same trucks with different engine and feature choices. They have been counted together for at least 30 years. This is the same method used by all automakers; Toyota Camry numbers includes the 4 and 6 cylinder, 4 door and coupe, etc. Lexus GS would include GS350 and GS450.
Why is it that certain Edmunds' posters are claiming that there is no evidence that any part or parts on any Toyota is failing or acting up that is causing the UA problems? What? Hello? Are the facts you list above or the ones you'll see me type out below somehow not seeming completely true to those people? Or something? Mystify...mystify me sings Michael Hutchence in the INXS song. It really mystifies me, yes it sure does.
It seems to infuriate them that Toyota leads the rest of the auto industry by about a 65% share of Toyota owner/operator UA problems, going back some 10 years. Am I making anything up by stating that fact? Or being mean?
Why are Toyota sympathizers even sticking up for them at all? What have they ever really done to get the blind, staunch optimism following they still seem to have? I don't get it, and I'm glad I don't get it.
I can find plenty a goodness in Mitsubishi's full stable of vehicles as well as Kia's to keep me in toys for several iluvmysephia lifetimes ta not even want to dip in to a Toyota nightmare of some sort.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
It mystifies me too. A year ago the car salesman and others would jump up and down and attack anyone daring point out bad things happening. A few others were more open minded in their assessment of symptoms.
Oddly, the runaway, unintended acceleration problems seem to have slowed after toyota-lexus started getting the cars back into their hands for "pedal replacement."
For years, all we heard was how awful certain US car companies were. toyota-lexus has certainly exceeded expectations in competing with past stone walling about problems. And then there's the fleet-rental sales. I notice the new CarMax opened in our area has 9 toyotas in their ad and 7 of them are previous fleet or rental history.
Like Iluvmysephia, there are too many other cars right now, including Hyundai, to take close look at and choose over problematic toyota-lexus product and the management approach they've taken about openness and honesty.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
But, not because I am a Toyota lover. I do own a Toyota pickup (Tacoma, not involved in the incidents) along with several BMW's, Nissans and a Mini. I don't see myself as having a dog directly in this hunt.
However, I have lived long enough to see instances of what one uses against someone else can, in turn, be used against them in return.
Exactly how well would GM do if, all of a sudden, they started getting UA complaints against their flagship products? Certainly, GM doesn't need any of that, and that's one HUGE reason they haven't been at the forefront crowing about Toyoyta and UA. GM knows it could be them the next time around in the cross-hairs.
Questioning the validity of UA claims translates into Toyota supporter only in the minds of the mentally challenged. We all drive the same roads, and I stand as good a chance of being killed bt a Toyota undergoing a UA event as being killed by any other model experiencing UA.
If it exists, I want it corrected as much as anyone. However, as the Audi incident proved, no one ever reproduced a single UA incident in a "controlled" environment... at least, so far as I know.
In the end, I suspect it will all be egronomically related (pedal placement).
You might as well compare the Toyota sedan series, grouping the Avalon, Camry, Corolla and Yaris as the same. They're all sedans!
iluv, I think you and others go too far when you make statements of this sort - your chances were less than 4 in a million of having a Toyota with the UA problem, when all incidents were verified and counted. UA is not Toyota's big problem now or in the last decade, although it is one small symptom among many of too much cost-cutting and a big drop in quality.
That is why I question whether the gigantic mega-corporation that is Toyota in 2010 can pull itself out of this downward spiral.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Don't be a sore loser...
I am sure the bulk of the sales of Ford PU trucks is the very popular F150. With the F250 way back in second place.
We had a new Highlander at work last week. It had all the dashboard sex appeal of a washing machine cardboard box. The Lexus haven't been getting rave reviews either on looks, our '06 Highlander looks classier. I told my wife no car for her that requires premium gas. And then another Lexus recall.
Now looking at and waiting for the 4 cylinder Ford Edge for 2011. Looks H-O-T!
Toyota is definitely the BP of auto manufacturers and I quite frankly cannot believe that the CEO has not been embarrassed enough to practice that seldom, but occasional art of Hari Kari. It's that bad..
Then I think Wagoner (formerly of GM) should be torturing himself before his suicide. :mad:
Wagoner has the record for the longest running scam, one which pays heavy dividends for GM being non-profitable, that is until Obama said he should be fired.
plaaaaane...this is the type of thinking that I'm also thinking right now. nippononly--I realize that SUA is not the only problem of Toyota's right now. Now we can add recalled Lexus engines to the growing list of Toyota problem children. It's just that like plaaaane says, the Japanese don't (and I thought they weren't supposed to) take these types of failures lightly. They kill theirselves over these sorts of things.
It is really that baaaaaadddddd!!!!!!
I am really unimpressed by Toyota and I'm appalled that so many Americans buy their SUV's, pick-em-up trucks and automobiles up the way they do. I guess I don't see the appeal. It seems mean ta relish in their Shakesperean woe, but I...don't seem to be getting upset about it.
At all. About time. I'm just kidding.
Then my mind jumps to the poor off-duty CHP Officer and his family and their poor choice of a Lexus sedan. No, to blame him for faulty driving is not the answer Toyota and your minions of supporters. That's stupid.
But now we know what ta do if our car does the same thing...right? I still don't think so.
Poor engineering is to blame. And Toyota backs away, blames the owner/operators, refuses ta recall until their arm is twisted and tied behind their back and the threat of recall is put before their greedy eyes, etc., etc.
After all Toyota, it's not about building a safer car, it's about thinking about your Corporate money-grubbing bottom line, isn't it? Ooooh! Gotcha where it usually counts for you, huh? Let them dribble down ta the alligator pond is my own paa-tic-u-lah opinion. I know you want my opinion more than anything, so there ya'all go.
Hey, is Lebron gonna stray from Rock and Roll Hall A Shame founding Cleveland, gentlemen? Since we're stuck with long-lasting Wimbledon tennis and soccer and baseball heighth of boredom, let's let our minds wander in to off-season NBA-land and ponder that proposed idea. Amare is already off ta NYC to join former head Coach Mike D'Antoni, so the time is ripe for another huge NBA stray story.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
The Avalon, Camry and Highlander are the same basic platform, so what's the difference? I guess if you just call them the T150, T250 and T350 then you can lump them all together.
Camry, Avalon Highlander sale = 207,438
Ford F series PU trucks = 240,345
You can toss in the 25k Venza's and still not top the F series. Ford does not have to pay anyone off. The people say who is best. And Ford has passed up Toyota the first 6 months of this year in total sales.
I have nothing against Ford, In fact I almost bought an Edge but in the end it was too expensive compared to other crossovers out there. That's another discussion and I've already taken too much time from all the Toyota bashing here.
carry on.
To those who are convinced that Toyota is an "evil empire" bent on taking over the world by any and all means necessary, you are blaspheming....
On a happier note, however... My best friend has a Ford Edge, and absolutely loves it. I guess he's had it for 2 years now, without a single issue.
As his "designated driver" when we use it for a night on the town, I can also say it drives very nicely. Not like my Z4, but still, very nice.
And they didn't get a BO handout, still, am I right on that? No handouts. Just some large loans. Clarify this, Ford followers.
A former co-worker back in SE Arizona bought a late-model Edge and absolutely loves it ta pieces.
No, Toyota is a company that needs ta make a profit. I realize that. They're doing this on their own remember. This self-destructive zone they've been in for the last 8-10 years.
It wouldn't be right ta wish bad upon them, now would it? Course not. Clean it up, Toyota, and build an attractive 4-dr. sporty sedan spun off of the FE-86 lines. You'll see this NE Nevada padre's eyes light up and notice if you do that. The Camry and Avalon and smaller Corolla are still way too dull. But that new under-development Coupe with Subaru is an interesting endeavour I think. But I need 4 doors.
Carry on.
Humm, one couldn't build the FE-86 right with 4 doors on it, could they? Etch-a-sketch time, gentlemen.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I know those were combined but they were different vehicles, a sedan and a 2 door convertible.
F series are all trucks. Maybe Ford should count the Lincoln version also?
The health insurance and retirement funds of the UAW blew up GM and Chrysler, and has Ford on the edge..The transplant operation offer nothing for retirement and have no retirees...However our benevolent Federal Govt entered the scene and saved the day with our tax$$$$$$$$$$s to ensure unions would not suffer from the evil mistakes of Capitalism..Spare me the BS, brother...
GM is now shopping for a $5 billion line of credit,, and they have about $43 billion in outstanding debts and pension liability...on the books..The upcoming IPO will be interesting to watch since we the taxpayers have a 61% interest in GM..I am sure the books are being "cooked", just like everything else coming out of our newly created left-leaning DC..I believe they would lie, even if the truth fit better..Chrysler is a money pit with an Italian running the show and the junkiest car company in the world 'Fiat" as our savior...More good news--WoW..
Our Asian transplants are basically nationalized companies with deep pockets operating on your tax $$$$$$$s..
After owning 51 Big 3 cars and 2 Porsches, I can honestly say that I really never had a bad one, some were better than others..Couple million miles later, no regrets.
Pass me another Claussen pickle and turn up that Ted Nugent You Tube video, sweetie. :P
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
The big wait and see is going to be the 8th Gen Camry next year. Toyota has to hit the ball out of the park on that one with NO hitcups out of the gates and with a fresh/innovative design. Toyota can not have the problems, like they did with the 7th Gen when it first came out with the transmission and things of that nature b/c all of the recent recalls, problems, etc will still be lingering at that time.
Lexus is going to have to do the same thing next year and the year after when the IS and ES are due for redesigns as well.
Just like to point out, some of you seem to be real paranoid about this latest recall issued for certain Lexus models. There was not reports of accidents or injury due to these issues and they seem to be doing it as a precaution so that it doesn't happen. Honda, Nissan, Ford, GM, etc have all gone recall happy since the Toyota U/A thing last year and the beginning of this year so its not like its something new.
The 3 series is one model of cars; under this model there're sub models or configurations. Same with F-series; it's ONE model; with sub models and configurations under it.
Toyota is a loser in the market share now. Someone just try to find the excuses for it.
I'm thinking that the Japanese have this better than the US.... in the US we have no shame... :mad:
Sounds like the Civil War all over again. :shades:
Why do the emoticons turn to the Red X after a certain period of time on here any more? Has their 2010 Mitsubishi i-MiEV all-electric car (carrying the Edmunds.com's Geek Squad) ran out of electrical charge?
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Try clearing your browser cache.
In the C4C program, the Ford Escape 2WD, 4WD and Hybrid were counted separately probably due to their dramatically different mpg numbers which were the key to determine the C4C rebate amount. But it was unfair when they separate the sales volume of them while keep the Corolla as the whole volume.
Cover up
Funny you mention American bucks when talking about domestic filth being better than foreign crap. I'll take foreign crap over domestic filth any day of the week and twice on Sunday!!!
Let's play math.
I've driven foreign cars about 2.25X as many miles as domestic cars, almost to the exact mile. (65K domestic vs. 145,000 miles put on foreign vehicles) . However, in repair "out of normal maintenance" costs, I've spent approximately 8.3334 times more on the domestic vehicle than I have on a group of foreign vehicles (about $5,000 vs. 600 dollars). Now with that cost per mile figure, why would I choose US$$$$$$$ dollars/mile over foriegn Cents/mile ????
The math is simple, the choice is clear. The logic is without fault. Case closed.
Own Dodges did you now. :surprise:
http://www.charter.net/news/read.php?sc_cid=homepage_newsDCC_article1&rip_id=%3C- - D9GR3OM80%40news.ap.org%3E&ps=1018&page=1
A Johnson & Johnson spokeswoman said the company had no comment beyond its announcement of the latest recall.
Food and Drug Administration spokeswoman Elaine Gansz Bobo said the agency continues to work with McNeil on all the product recalls.
"We do not see any serious health risk to the public from this additional recall," she said.
Gansz Bobo said she did not know of any other company that had eight medicine recalls in less than a year.
"It certainly is quite a few, and something that we hope is not repeated by other companies," she told The Associated Press.
The repeated recalls are particularly surprising at a company where executives regularly repeat the 67-year-old corporate credo, which begins: "We believe our first responsibility is to the doctors, nurses and patients, to mothers and fathers and all others who use our products and services."
Gordon noted that besides the announced recalls, congressional investigators say J&J paid another company to quietly buy up packages of Motrin with potency problems in 2008.
"I think it's unfathomable that a longtime J&J guy could do something so un-J&J-like," he said of Weldon.
Gordon said he sees parallels to the repeated recalls by Toyota, another company "renowned for quality having quality problems. You have to wonder if global cost pressures have changed the game even for the best of the best."
Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100712/OEM01/100719976/1400- #ixzz0tZTJJyLr
"
:sick:
“A picket line will only hurt the dealership, its employees and the community it serves,” Lusk said in a statement. “An assault on America's auto retail industry will only serve to highlight the disconnect between the UAW and reality.”