No, you have to make a structure that absorbs crash loads with minimal encroachment into the passenger compartment and good protection of the driver's upper body against direct impact from outside objects, like the hood of another car.
Sure you can try paying, but bribery does not a safe car make. That's like suggesting one pay off a judge to guarantee that he win a weightlifting competition. That's great, but you still kind of have to lift the most to win.
No, we don't expect anything less these days, but that's why companies like Toyota are not going to thrive for much longer if they keep selling lackluster products and maintain their smug behavior.
I'm not taking cheap shots at the current debacle, but this negative reaction to Toyota didn't start overnight. I've been calling this decline a long time. They are still living in a market where reliability sold; ask anyone who is bit behind on times, "Why did you buy a Toyota?" and they might say, "Because the engine starts every day."
Yes, it was a good reason in 1989, but not today. Everyone has caught up – it is not unusual for a domestic to go 85,000 mi with zero issues; I've had two Dodge Caravans like this. But Toyota has not diversified – where's the incentive to draw customers?
Apart from Prius, Toyota has held the status quo on drab vehicles like Camry and Corolla, who lead neither in innovation or sportiness. The lack of creativity is clear and the quality of parts have dropped as executives sought higher margins.
The winner tomorrow is the one who holds mindshare today. As much as some say, "So Hyundai is improving, big deal, it's still Hyundai" the same massive acknowledgement of improvement is not being made about Toyota in any light.
So improvement is not inevitable, as you say. Mercedes learned this valuable lesson during the last decade and it seems Toyota is now.
It's Nexus, that's why the title says Nexus. Besides, Lexus is not even a real word, it's a Japanese car, and I'm sure there'd be a lawsuit if Google stole their name.
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Feb 21st 2011 12:14PM (TUAW.com)iFrogz iPhone 4 cases work with Verizon phones -- we're giving away four
Feb 18th 2011 10:39PM (TUAW.com)Hyundai Genesis sedan and Mercedes-Benz E-Class named IIHS Top Safety Picks
May 13th 2010 6:57PM (Autoblog)Sure you can try paying, but bribery does not a safe car make. That's like suggesting one pay off a judge to guarantee that he win a weightlifting competition. That's great, but you still kind of have to lift the most to win.
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May 4th 2010 5:42PM (TUAW.com)New York 2010: Hyundai Sonata Hybrid gets unique look and 37/39 MPG rating [w/video] [UPDATE]
Mar 31st 2010 10:00PM (Autoblog)I'm not taking cheap shots at the current debacle, but this negative reaction to Toyota didn't start overnight. I've been calling this decline a long time. They are still living in a market where reliability sold; ask anyone who is bit behind on times, "Why did you buy a Toyota?" and they might say, "Because the engine starts every day."
Yes, it was a good reason in 1989, but not today. Everyone has caught up – it is not unusual for a domestic to go 85,000 mi with zero issues; I've had two Dodge Caravans like this. But Toyota has not diversified – where's the incentive to draw customers?
Apart from Prius, Toyota has held the status quo on drab vehicles like Camry and Corolla, who lead neither in innovation or sportiness. The lack of creativity is clear and the quality of parts have dropped as executives sought higher margins.
The winner tomorrow is the one who holds mindshare today. As much as some say, "So Hyundai is improving, big deal, it's still Hyundai" the same massive acknowledgement of improvement is not being made about Toyota in any light.
So improvement is not inevitable, as you say. Mercedes learned this valuable lesson during the last decade and it seems Toyota is now.
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Mar 7th 2010 9:54PM (Engadget)Engadget's 6th birthday giveaway: 'Gadget of the Year' edition
Mar 7th 2010 7:35PM (Engadget)Nokia N900 review
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Dec 25th 2009 3:47AM (TUAW.com)Google Nexus One stands with iPhone and Hero, interface gets a 5-minute walkthrough
Dec 23rd 2009 1:41AM (Engadget)It's Nexus, that's why the title says Nexus. Besides, Lexus is not even a real word, it's a Japanese car, and I'm sure there'd be a lawsuit if Google stole their name.