[buran77]

> If anything your readiness to excuse Toyota's faults is proving my point.

I'm not defending Toyota, I'm only attacking your argument, which I hope is fair game. The problem with it is that it fails to clear the bar for basically any major manufacturer out there. Put Renault or Volkswagen in there and the situation stays the same. Everyone has a few problematic models or years that get some (un)warranted criticism but you really have to question a manufacturer's QA when the problems are across the board, as evidenced by Tesla using low grade parts across the board. That's one thing what sets Tesla apart from the competition: they cut costs and corners anywhere they can to ship more units, because that's what drives share prices up.

And you'll never see Renault's CEO claim that their cars will cure cancer starting next year and a cult following of people hyping and believing it, or vitriolically pouncing on any unsuspecting commenter or article criticizing Renault. That's the second thing that sets Tesla apart from their competition: they can afford to consistently ship compromised products because their image can absorb anything.

On any of the rash of EV sites that popped up over the past few years just linking to an NHTSA or IIHS report contradicting the article's premise could get you an instant ban. So the articles stay there with the misleading claims because that's what comes up in an internet search.