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Toyota Favorability Levels Continue to Decline Among Viewers


Toyota and Congress
Viewers believe Akio Toyoda should appear before U.S. Congressional committee

Flemington, NJ, February 18, 2010 –Results from a series of studies exploring Americans’ perceptions of the Toyota brand since the initial recalls earlier this year revealed that favorability levels have continued to decline. The favorability ratings for Toyota have fallen from an average score of 3.9 in January to a current average of score of 3.4.

The new study was conducted during February 17-18 by HCD Research using its MediaCurves.com® website, to obtain 603 viewers’ perceptions of a news clip highlighting Toyota President Akio Toyoda’s decision not appear before the U.S. Congressional committee hearing regarding the recalls. To view detailed results go to: www.mediacurves.com.

The majority of Americans (67%) indicated that Akio Toyoda should appear before congress. After hearing about his decision, the majority of viewers (64%) indicated that they have a less favorable view of the Toyota brand.

Among the findings:

Please indicate how favorable you are of the Toyota brand using a scale of 1-7 where 1 represents, “Not at all favorable” and 7 represents, “Extremely favorable.”

 

Before Video

After Video

Study 1

4.9

3.9

Study 2

4.5

4.5

Study 3

4.2

3.4

Do you think that Toyota President, Akio Toyoda, should appear before the U.S. Congressional committee hearing regarding the recalls?

 

Total

Yes

67%

No

33%

How has Toyota President Akio Toyoda’s decision to not appear before the U.S. Congressional committee hearing affected your perception of the Toyota brand?

 

Total

My perception is more favorable

3%

My perception is less favorable

64%

No change in perception

33%

Do you think the apologies that Toyota has given regarding its recent vehicle recalls have been sufficient?

 

Total

Yes

33%

No

35%

Unsure

33%

While viewing the video, participants indicated their perception of the Toyota brand by moving their mouse from left to right on a continuum. The responses were recorded in quarter-second intervals and reported in the form of curves. The participants were also asked to respond to post-viewing questions.

Editors/Reporters: For more information on the study, or to speak with Glenn Kessler, president and CEO, HCD Research, please contact Vince McGourty, HCD Research, at (908) 483-9121 or (vince.mcgourty@hcdi.net).  You can also receive updates from MediaCurves.com by following us on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/mediacurves and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Flemington-NJ/MediaCurves/86691908820

HCD Research is a marketing and communications research company headquartered in Flemington, NJ.  The company's services include traditional and web-based research.  For additional information on HCD Research, access the company’s web site at www.hcdi.net or call HCD Research at 908-788-9393.  MediaCurves.com® (www.mediacurves.com) is a media measurement website that provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans’ perceptions of popular and controversial media events and advertisements.

COMMENTS
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RE: Toyota Congress
by Smiles11 (User #99176) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5008)
wow, didn't realize all that!
Reply
RE: Toyota Congress
by crutch49 (User #213522) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5009)
toyota is going from the besst\\t to worst
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RE: Toyota Congress
by tdm101 (User #224953) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5010)
i think Toyota produces a good product and has had a difficult time over bad PR. The products are high in quality, but they are not my first choice. Neither the recalls nor the publicity are part of my decision. I simply prefer another brand.
Reply
RE: Toyota Congress
by LapisLee (User #206980) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5011)
I will stand by Toyota as long as all problems are fixed and responsibility is taken.
Reply
RE: Toyota Congress
by DAMOSPORT (User #212124) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5012)
There seems to be more and more problems you hear about every day about Toyota and it's cars. I am very unlikely at this time to purchase from them.
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RE: Toyota Congress
by gwinc1 (User #232184) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5013)
US should make a example out of them
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RE: Toyota Congress
by florita (User #100586) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5014)
I always had the highest respect for the Toyota brand and I right now have two Camrys. I am hopeful that they will correct their problems and will be once more a very respected car manufacturer.
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RE: Toyota Congress
by candymustang65 (User #200643) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5015)
they have always had good cars
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RE: Toyota Congress
by cphtchic (User #231095) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5016)
I was shocked to find out that Toyota knew about these problems long before they announced it to the public. I would be curious as to know exactly how long they knew about these problems before it became public.
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RE: Toyota Congress
by MzAngie (User #233126) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5017)
I think that they just have some issues that needs fixing.
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RE: Toyota Congress
by tugboat (User #213274) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5018)
They are in big trouble.............
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RE: Toyota Congress
by survey (User #231374) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5019)
I have driven Toyota vehicles for years. Always found them well engineered and reliable. Am I disappointed in Toyota...sure. However, I'm also confident they will get their recall problems resolved, quickly and responsibly.
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RE: Toyota Congress
by diana13 (User #229017) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5020)
Right now America has no confidence in Congress and Toyota should not at all be required to appear before Congress. In addition Congress is not at all capable of judging Toyota.
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RE: Toyota Congress
by CrybabyArtist (User #228548) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5021)
it's easy to point the finger at number one.. especially to take the attention off your own failings ( the automakers in the USA)
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RE: Toyota Congress
by UnseenRidge (User #235743) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5022)
This recall seems fairly typical and rather minor. It seems like a media generated over reaction. Kind of like the terrible swine flu.
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RE: Toyota Congress
by 4momsi (User #228370) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5023)
Are we holding Toyota to a higher standard of accountability than Ford or GM?
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RE: Toyota Congress
by suzannec (User #230692) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5024)
Toyota should live up to its name and just make Toy cars!
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RE: Toyota Congress
by grdnfn2 (User #229499) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5025)
I think the president should be ashamed of himself. If he wants to do business in this country, he should have to appear before the committee, just like everyone else does.
Reply
RE: Toyota Congress
by kirkland38 (User #234524) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5026)
toyota has been good for many years and will continue to be so, american cars have had recalls without so much hassle, why all the trouble with toyota
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RE: Toyota Congress
by Jwehunt (User #229836) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5027)
I am a U.S. citizen, and I believe that U.S. autos sould be bought and driven, not vehicles from other countries.
Reply
RE: Toyota Congress
by goodtimerx2 (User #49027) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5028)
Its time the USA made these big foriegn car makers be accountable. I suspect a lot of class action law suits.
Reply
RE: Toyota Congress
by konevalt27 (User #231333) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5029)
Toyota use to be a trustworthy company. Not any more!
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RE: Toyota Congress
by jessamynbarnette (User #230418) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5030)
I think it will take a very long time for Toyota to get back a positive reputation. It's so disappointing, they used to be one of the best car companies.
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RE: Toyota Congress
by junad2 (User #227957) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5031)
toyota is not open about the problem, they should let everything oot
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RE: Toyota Congress
by beckyl58 (User #227445) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5032)
I have always loved Toyota and had one since College. Matter of fact we own two right now, but may have to consider a company that is more reliable. They use to be super good cars with no recalls. This really makes you step back and look before plunging into another Toyota, especially if they have known this all along. We will just have to see when it comes to buying a new car in the future.
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RE: Toyota Congress
by filpo1 (User #222158) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5033)
Mr. Toyoda should assist to the US hearing.
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RE: Toyota Congress
by eveldevil123 (User #231370) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5034)
American auto companies have had recall after recall and no one has reacted in the way they are reacting to Toyota. Why should they be treated any different that U.S. Auto companies.
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RE: Toyota Congress
by ginny333 (User #203663) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5035)
Toyota should have done the recalls as soon as they knew of the problems.
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RE: Toyota Congress
by lamoff660 (User #218525) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5036)
Toyota should be ashamed and the president should come and answer questions instead of blaming the US head of Toyota.
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RE: Toyota Congress
by copperdan (User #233655) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5037)
If they knew about it then that changes things a lot. It is not the motor but faulty equipment on newer Models.
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RE: Toyota Congress
by jessicaro (User #235733) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5038)
Mr. Toyoda should have agreed to go before congress, however mistakes are made everywhere. Toyata is not usually one to make such mistakes. I believe these mistakes will make Toyota a more efficient type of vehicle then ever before with the corections and prohibitions they make to keep this from happening again.
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RE: Toyota Congress
by oldtimer (User #55086) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5039)
I have a very poor opinion of all cars made in Japan and of those assembled in the US
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RE: Toyota Congress
by Nubie10 (User #231843) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5040)
I have loved Toyota products for many years and I am truly saden that it has come to this. I pray that they are able to take care of the current problems to the satisfaction of the cusotmer. However, Toyota has to jump through a lot of hoops to get back their loyal customers.
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RE: Toyota Congress
by elrick (User #215693) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5041)
toyota which had such a sterling reputation is in big trouble
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RE: Toyota Congress
by cookie47 (User #213353) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5042)
If toyota knew of all the problems they had before the issues were made public i think they should be fined a very large sum and for the peoples cars needing fixed should receive some type of incentive as well. Toyota should make a public apology for it;s mishaps
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RE: Toyota Congress
by IamDottie (User #224215) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5043)
I use to own a Toyoda it was nice car, Im surprise about the recall
Reply
RE: Toyota Congress
by hadelalopez (User #230436) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5044)
the more information clients have, the fastest the company will have there trust back.
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RE: Toyota Congress
by Katiegirl (User #229685) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5045)
I do not feel that the company is doing enough in response to the recent events,I think that American consumers will buy other brands for safety reasons
Reply
RE: Toyota Congress
by Katiegirl (User #229685) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5046)
I think the company should do more and I also think that American consumers will buy other brands for saftey reasons.
Reply
RE: Toyota Congress
by winddancer116 (User #229886) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5047)
The information presented is completely biased againist the auto maker. EVERY auto maker has had recalls and while these occurances have been noted in the media none has been so "Tiger Woods" as this one. At least Toyoda is trying to fix the problem.
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RE: Toyota Congress
by falldowngobump (User #231145) on Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 5:41:04 PM (#5048)
Recalls from any car manufacturer are a bad thing. BUT...in comparision to the recalls (sometimes forced by consumers) by Ford and the other big car makers, Toyota is still the best. They were not in line to recieve millions of dollars from the American public to pull their butt out of a financial crisis. I think all this media against Toyota is an effort to make Toyota look bad so people will buy from American car makers. I have a Toyota, I love my Toyota and will continue to. My next car will be a Toyota.
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