Toyota Motor Corp. is a strong symbol of Japan's manufacturing might when it comes to automobiles, or at least it was till one scandal after another started hitting one of the world's largest companies. It seems that the firm was jinxed all of a sudden. First the recall, then another, then yet another, then a Congressional enquiry, humiliation, and now, there is another addition to the whole string of conflicts, scandals and woes.

Recently, Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N. Y.), Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, after grilling Toyota's top executives on Wednesday, stressed that the company had deliberately withheld documents that it was legally bound to turn over in liability lawsuits that the company had faced, and it even paid higher settlements to plaintiffs to avoid revelation of all the information held in (interestingly) Toyota's secret Books of Knowledge(!).

These developments have ended up making customers fell much less secure about the safety and quality of Toyota's vehicles, and have completely tarnished the automobiles manufacturer's image. What is really irking people are indications that the company had come to know about these problems much before taking an action, further hurting its credibility.

It seems that Toyota had become overly confident and complacent, without thinking that it is putting so many lives at risk. Also, no definite explanations have come the customers' way from the firm's end, which is hurting both the customers and Toyota even further.

Despite all the problems, Toyota still remains the world leader in production of some of the most innovative and popular vehicles. Although it does seem that the hurt of the scandals will linger on for some time, it is never too late to make amends, and let's hope the giant realizes it soon!