consummit.com US stock prices slid dramatically, as the Dow closed near 10000 points for the first time in three mnths. Anthony Mason reports that high unmplyment a…

For my college speech class I’ve been assigned to give a 7-9 minute persuasive speech regarding the recalls Toyota has issued in the past several months. I am reasonably good at writing speeches, but for this one I’m not sure what to argue for/against/about. Any suggestions?? I have plenty of information I’m just not sure what my argument should be!

i was wondering, the engine its stock, the acceleration is really slow, is that normal? is it beause it has OD? or because its a 4cyl? i will put a cold air intake and a performance chip..will that solve the problem?

A year ago, on a cold drizzly morning, we drove to the coffee shop and parked our car. After coffee, I was carefully, slowly backing out when I realized that I had no brakes. I recall pushing on the brakes with all the pressure I could. I managed to go forward a few feet and realized there was still no brakes. Staying hard on the brakes with all the pressure I could apply, the car seemed to roll to a stop. I turned off and restarted the car and slowly drove to the Toyota garage six blocks away.

The representative test said they didn’t notice a problem when they test drove the car. I refused to drive the car again unless they fix that problem (which was not a figment of my imagination.) Our extended coverage was still in force at the time. The representative said they would change the relay. We left our car and picked it up when called that it was done (we were not shown the relay, took their word that it was changed).

We haven’t had another problem with the brakes since "Knock on Wood."
I heard they have identified the problem with brakes as a software problem on the (first generation) 2010 Prius and some Lexus (year or model unknown) vehicles. There was no mention of any plan to recall any of the 2nd generation Prius cars. My husband told me that maybe we just got a lemon.
Correction – sorry: I mean the 2010 Prius is Third Generation.
Yes, we have been taking it to the dealer for all it’s regular maintenance.
There was no ice. It seldom gets that cold in this part of the state. I’ve never encountered icy roads driving in the city. Also, the weather was in the mid 50’s.
We have always been treated well by the dealership and the service dept. is top notch; however, I agree that the company does not seem that concerned because uncontrolled acceleration and a lack of brakes are the most dangerous things that can happen to a car on the road putting not only passengers and drivers but everyone around the moving vehicle at risk.

In the past five years, Toyota has spent million lobbying the US government. Financial contributions were made to 40 of the 125 members charged with investigating them. Nancy Cordes reports.