Toyota To Pay Money, Give Free Loaners To Chinese Customers Affected By Recall

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

A few weeks ago, we reported that the commerce bureau and consumer protection committee of China’s Zhejiang Province’s called on Toyota to compensate drivers for costs stemming from its recall of the RAV4. The bureau wanted that Toyota supplies loaner cars while the RAV4 is in the shop (Toyota says the reflash takes 30 minutes.) The Chinese also suggested that Toyota compensates drivers for gasoline and other expenses involved in bringing cars back to dealerships. At the time, Toyota had a polite “no thanks,” for the request. Now, Toyota changed their minds. They will pay.

Toyota has agreed to compensate customers for losses stemming from a vehicle recall in Zhejiang Province, reports The Nikkei [sub]. Not only will Toyota reimburse customers for losses sustained from the recall, they will also send people to pick up and deliver the affected vehicles, and will provide a loaner while the car is in the shop.

Says the Nikkei: “Such an agreement could lead to demands for similar deals from customers in not only other provinces, but also other countries.” You bet it will.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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 5 comments
  • Ash78 Ash78 on Mar 30, 2010

    It warms my heart to see such entitlement and litigation-based mentalities extending beyond the US and Europe. Maybe one day, working together, we can get the entire world to grind to a complete halt.

    • Segfault Segfault on Mar 30, 2010

      Here, here! Perhaps we can get Toyota China and Toyota USA into a bidding war over the incentives paid to owners of recalled vehicles.

  • Steven02 Steven02 on Mar 30, 2010

    Unbelievable. Any word on why Toyota agreed to this?

  • Geozinger Geozinger on Mar 30, 2010

    What do they mean by compensate? I have a feeling there will be a lot of coupons for free or nearly free oil changes floating around soon. I can't see them rebating these folks any kind of cash...

  • Akitadog Akitadog on Mar 30, 2010

    Who wants to bet that Toyota was "encouraged" to change their mind by either the regional or national government?

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