(Yorkshire Publishing: Tulsa, OK) -- This winter, our view of Japanese automakers as the pinnacle of quality was shattered by the Toyota recall fiasco. For the last 50 years, the Japanese have continuously garnered more and more market share by using a continuous improvement manufacturing philosophy. By utilizing many small and occasionally large improvements to processes and products, Japanese automakers set their companies upon a foundation of success and expansion. By creating inexpensive, well-built vehicles that were attractive to American consumers, they were able to build a reputation for excellence in the marketplace.

This model was brought to light predominantly by quality guru Dr. W. Edwards Deming. His strategies helped Toyota best General Motors as the biggest automotive company in the world. The attention to Deming’s way of thinking, which had worked so well for the Japanese automakers in the past, seems to have been lost. Unfortunately, it may be years or even decades before Toyota is able to rebuild its past reputation.

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