Recently, the Japanese-based Toyota Motor Corporation has faced harsh and searing criticism for the defects in its more recently constructed vehicles. We've all heard of the very frightening problem with uncontrolled acceleration, but other defects have resulted in call-backs and a hefty $16.4 million fine.
Toyota is not the first corporation to have serious problems with their product, and in fact is not unique in its acceleration issues. Ford, for instance, experienced the same issues, which resulted in 20 deaths -- all attributed to human error. They faced no fine, and were not dragged over the coals the way Toyota was.
The question my paper seeks to answer is, quite simply, do American media outlets perpetrate a sort of protectionist racket that magnifies the defects in foreign products (automobiles, especially) while downplaying (or even ignoring) similar problems with American brands?
My initial answer to this question, with basic research conducted, supports the conclusion that yes, there is a measure of economic nationalism in American media, although there is no evidence to suggest conspiracy. As I complete the paper, I hope to discover whether this assumption is true in all cases, and if not, whether there is a correlation with the national economic situation -- i.e., is this behavior more likely to occur during a recession?
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you could maybe look at how some Americans try to buy american made products to help promote the businesses here. their hope maybe to help out businesses around here, and to prevent outsourcing. there might also be a fear that if american based business get a huge blow like toyota is could have a devastating blow on its economical value and then that would hurt our own economy. thus promoting loyalty to national businesses.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, yours is an excellent model of an abstract, at least a tentative one written before the actual paper (your final paragraph would need to be replaced by a more definitive thesis statement in a *real* abstract).
ReplyDeleteA question to consider: What is motivating the American media to promote protectionism if they aren't being financially rewarded? If there is no conspiracy, why the bias? Do they just assume that Americans are generally patriotic and will want to hear news that makes other countries and their companies look as poorly as possible?
You brought up a really good point. I actually never heard about Ford having issues with their vehicles. I don't really hear much about them at all. You are right though, Toyota has been all over the news. They are even changing their communicates to try to keep their loyal customers coming back. I think anyone that owns a Toyota knows they are a good strong brand. Personally, I think they are made better than any American made car. I have always had Toyotas and never had major problems. My brother has a Ford and I feel like it has been in the shop more than out. I am interested to see what your research tells you.
ReplyDeleteGood topic! I would say that there is most definitely nationalism in our media...at least in some areas. I know when I lived in Ireland I could easily see them doing it by the way the news was often presented. When I came home I could sense it a bit more here as well.
ReplyDeleteI think I am having a hard time understanding the topic of your paper. Are you going to focus on the media and the effects that it has on buyers buying a Toyota?
ReplyDeleteI think this topic is a good one. I think you should certainly figure out if the behavior is more likely to occur during recession. I think that will add a strong point to your argument. Maybe you could compare Toyota and Ford and discuss what could have been done to prevent their problems from occurring.
ReplyDeleteI personally am I Honda girl =)
ReplyDeleteIt's nothing new to focus on biases in media coverage, but I think that your paper will be made very unique by covering this aspect - the pro-american bias. Your abstract was very informative and honestly, left me wanting to read more! I think this is a great topic, and one that probably isn't thought of often within the U.S. You could try to find sources from outside the U.S., because it seems easier to evaluate other countries than it is to evaluate your own. Where as most Americans probably have a "pro-American sentiment," maybe scholars from other places have an easier time evaluating (negatively) the U.S. media.
ReplyDeleteI am currently looking for a car, and everyone I talk to tells me to buy one from a foriegn car company because they are better made. I believe this is true and although you discussed how we only really hear about the overseas companys whose products are having issues, I know that it is very prevalent in the United States. Once again, we are so quick to judge and point out the flaws in others, but not in ourselves!
ReplyDeleteI find your topic very interesting!!!! My boyfriend is one of the many engineers that works for Toyota's Corporate offices in Erlanger. He is in body weld and is commonly works with the under body of all Toyota vehicles.(which has nothing to do with the accelerator)When this all started happening he was mad. Not because of what had happened but because the media was telling lies and making them look bad. He said half the things they said were wrong compaired to the breifings they got at work.
ReplyDeleteTruthfully I believe foreign made cars are better and last longer and my family is loyal customer of Toyota and thier cars.
I believe they made such a big deal about all this because, they are one of the top automobile makers/sellers and because Toyota has originated from a foreign country.