The Auto Zones

Archive for February, 2010

General Motors Co. will again shake up its U.S. sales and marketing management as early as this week, three people familiar with the plan said.

Dear Tom and Ray: I have a 2003 Toyota Prius, which has gone 67,000 miles. I always take it to the dealer, and recently had it there for its 65,000-mile service. After a fairly long wait, the service manager came to me to tell me that there had been an accident. They had driven the car crooked onto the oil-change rack, and “the wheel fell off.” I have to admit that I really didn’t know exactly what that meant, except that it didn’t sound too good. He took me into the work area, where they were already doing a front-wheel alignment on my car. He said that the realignment was being done because of possible damage when the car’s wheel fell off the rack. There was no charge, and he admitted they were at fault here. They also are replacing some rubber thingie under the front bumper that has had a rip in it for about four years. So I do not have a problem with the dealership in this respect. My questions are these: Could there be further damage, such as hairline cracks and bent or dented pieces under the car, as a result of this accident? Is this something that may show up later as a serious problem? Thanks. — Mary

Toyota Motor President Akio Toyoda has ordered the creation of a temporary task force to improve internal and external communication as the automaker seeks to restore confidence in its damaged reputation.