Toyota

Company Objectives World domination with paying attention to gondola car supply. Toyota interpretks to procure market leadership by delivering value to nodes and providing noble step vehicles. Ill. Analysis Of Related Case Facts A. Porters Five Forces Analysis 1. Threat of hot Entrants Low new-sprung(prenominal) entrants cant enter the market good as it requires huge capital investment, cutting-edge technology and the sedulousness have already reached economics of scale. Brand loyalty among the buyers. They wont slow switched to new brand as purchasing a vehicle incurred high cost. 2.Bar clearing Power of Supplier Moderately Low Various causes of suppliers in simple machinemobile indus travail such as cooling, electrical, fuel supply frames distributed across the globe. They own many interchange able-bodied supplier and produced many components in the short time. Suppliers dont own the power to look into the price. 3. Bargaining Power of Buyer High Can easily switc h to other brands if theyre cheaper and better specifications such as Hands new Hybrid regulates which be more lucrative Toyota Pries. 4. Threat of Substitute Moderately High there argon a lot of substitutes in automobile industry.When the price or the specifications of the vehicle is omit of favor, the substitutes will emerge. Besides from vehicles, buyer can opt for other substitutes such as bicycle, bus, train or tear down walking to reach their destination with gaseous state price hiking. However, it depends greatly on the consumers geographical location. 5. Competitive Rivalry -? High Competition amongst existing players is high. There is not much differentiation amidst players and their products. Other automobile companies are moving aggressively with their strategy to own higher market share with Hybrid mildews.B. Soot Analysis Strengths Us rate of f pitiful productivity and efficiency of Toyota crossroadion System Toyota is the innovations astronomicalst vehi cle manufacturer by production and sales Global strong brand awareness Strong dispersion and market efforts focalizeed on high flavour, sales and close involvement with customers It has initiated new technologies Weaknesses Rec eachs ca apply quite severe financial impact It is criticized as a im snarlerial importer by Japanese local car producers In May 2009, they reported a record yearly net loss of $ 4. Billion In 2005 set ab extinct criticism because of a large scale rec every and quality issues Opportunities Recovery of auto industries Positive growth trend in mark vehicle ingredient Growing demand from major emerging markets India and China Demand for fuel cost-efficient, compact vehicles In 2009 Bank of India decreased the interests on self-propelled bank loans growth innovation The retreats Competition in the global self-propelling market Uncertainty in global economic condition Weakening demand, increasing cost modify emission bear outards C.PEST Analysis Poli tical Factors Laws and regulations mandated by the government/state/local assembles may put in measures to ensure that unsp anoint colourt and ethical practices are being allowed to promote fairness within the association. On the other hand, these laws, especially those outside(prenominal) to Japanese customs create policies that imposes more profit loss for TM because it is a outside(prenominal) car fraternity. Economic and Social Factors The first that may impact Tms profit is that the social status of the world economy as a whole.If the world market is suffering due to a world-wide recession. Customers may be forced to buy domestic cars due to their sink cost, rather than buying foreign cars. However, if consumers are earning a higher income, this may prove beneficial to Toyota thereby increasing many profit and accountability. Stability of the upcoming market is highly projected. expert Factors scientific advancements may also be a factor in determining Tms overall pro duction. The world relies hard on technology to plan out the expatiate and executions of connection plans and goals.It would be wise for TM to continue its research developments to improve the go withs value and temper. IV. Relevant Strategic Management slight proceeds System Lean Production System is the system knowing and evolved in Toyota. It is modified form of Henry Fords Mass Production System. In some areas its philosophical system seem simply opposite to the fundamental principles of Mass Production System. Mass Production System Mass production is a method of producing goods in large quantities at low cost per unit. This system of production is also known as Push System or Just- in-Case System .With precision equipment, large plays of identical split could be produced at low cost and with a small work force. Diversification At the time of establishment of Toyota Motor Company was in the stage business of making handloom. This can be seen as a Conglomerate Dive rsification as Toyota expanded its scope from Handloom Industry to Automobile Industry. Joint imagine ANNUM was establish at the site Of a former GM Fremont Assembly site that had been closed two years earlier in 1982. GM and Toyota reopened the milling machinery as a joint venture in 1 984 to manufacture vehicles to be sold under both brands.A joint venture was viewed as an burn up that would lower the risk piece providing stand by in overcoming difficult potential fusss. Market Segmentation Toasts most significant business part is its automotive operations. Toyota carries out its automotive operations as a global competitor in the relied automotive market. Toasts uses both differentiation and low cost as generic strategies to try and gain a militant advantage over their competitors in the automotive industry. The market scope that Toyota uses is a broad one that encompasses nearly every type of customer that is in the market to purchase an automobile.Toyota is able to targ et such a large market because they have something for everyone. V. Alternative Courses and Action Toyota Motors Corporation, one of the largest automakers in the world. callable to growing number of recalls that it confront, sales plummeted thereby effecting the companys position in the global automotive industry. The company recalled million of vehicles in 2009 that does not only hurt the company financially but significantly damaged the companys brand. Toyota mustiness ensure that the cars produced are faultless and of good quality.Toyota must focus on differentiating the company by concentrating on the atmosphere and design of the vehicles . It must enhance customers service as full-service provider. Excellent customer service should be observed since it would be able to make the company boost their reputation and consistency in terms of customer satisfaction. There should be a unique crack of amenities and facilities which would own them a stand out pard to other competito rs, something like a trademark item or facility in which it couldnt be copied or duplicated.Toyota has a reputation of manufacturing CEO companionable cars like the Pries based upon advanced technology developed by the brass. Toyota has also sold on its technology to other motor manufacturers. There is a humongous demand for CEO hail-fellow and fuel efficient cars. Since Toyota already has a first mover advantage in making hybrid CEO hail-fellow- hale-met cars, it should capitalize n this opportunity and invest more on hybrid R and produce more environment friendly cars. VI. Analysis of Alternatives (Advantages and Disadvantages) VII.Conclusion Toyota has sources of strong competitive advantages in global automotive industry such as value chain, strong brand, wide product offering and hybrid vehicles. Major recalls, economic crisis and glowing global competition have posed serious challenge for Toyota. Growing emerging markets and shifting customer demands offer Opportunities for Toyota to realise superior profitability and growth. Toyota must sustain its competitive advantages to attain its position and reach out future success. VIII. Recommendations Toyota motors are famous for their just in time manufacturing.The organization is doing well in this regard and competes with the worlds top car manufacturing firms . However the quality of the car as compare to other car manufacturing companies is not satisfactory. They should focus on the quality and designs of the car. As compare to Honda, the intense competitor of Toyota in Asia and some other regions, they have elegant designs and quality cars. Apart from that the company should also focus on fuel efficient and hybrid cars to add its production and to make people aware of these cars.T MAC needs to become more diverse, to allow the integrating Of leadership in all sectors of leaderships to create a uniform leadership team. The way the system is set up is not going too well for the companys goal of b eing the number one manufacturer in the world. Also, Toyota needs to reanalyze its Research and Developmental Centers. It is with these centers that technologies are observed and tested to bring about the best possible and safe product for the consumer to use. There needs to be a construction of the company as a whole.ToyotaCompany Objectives World domination with regard to car supply. Toyota seeks to light upon market leadership by delivering value to customers and providing high quality vehicles. Ill. Analysis Of Related Case Facts A. Porters Five Forces Analysis 1. Threat of New Entrants Low New entrants cant enter the market easily as it requires huge capital investment, cutting-edge technology and the industry have already reached economics of scale. Brand loyalty among the buyers. They wont easily witched to new brand as purchasing a vehicle incurred high cost. 2.Bargaining Power of Supplier Moderately Low Various types of suppliers in automobile industry such as cooling, electrical, fuel supply systems distributed across the globe. They own many interchangeable supplier and produced many components in the short time. Suppliers dont own the power to lay out the price. 3. Bargaining Power of Buyer High Can easily switch to other brands if theyre cheaper and better specifications such as Hands new Hybrid models which are more lucrative Toyota Pries. 4. Threat of Substitute Moderately High There are a lot of substitutes in automobile industry.When the price or the specifications of the vehicle is neediness of favor, the substitutes will emerge. Besides from vehicles, buyer can opt for other substitutes such as bicycle, bus, train or even walking to reach their destination with natural gas price hiking. However, it depends greatly on the consumers geographical location. 5. Competitive Rivalry -? High Competition amidst existing players is high. There is not much differentiation between players and their products. Other automobile impasse are moving aggressively with their strategy to own higher market share with Hybrid models.B. Soot Analysis Strengths prime(prenominal) productivity and efficiency of Toyota Production System Toyota is the worlds largest vehicle manufacturer by production and sales Global strong brand awareness Strong dispersal and market efforts focused on high quality, sales and close involvement with customers It has initiated new technologies Weaknesses reminiscences caused quite severe financial impact It is criticized as a foreign importer by Japanese local car producers In May 009, they reported a record yearly net loss of $ 4. Billion In 2005 faced criticism because of a large scale recall and quality issues Opportunities Recovery of auto industries Positive growth trend in hybrid vehicle segment Growing demand from major emerging markets India and China Demand for fuel efficient, compact vehicles In 2009 Bank Of India decreased the interests on automotive bank loans Product innovation Threats Competi tion in the global automotive market Uncertainty in global economic condition Weakening demand, increasing cost tighten emission standards C. PEST Analysis Political FactorsLaws and regulations mandated by the government/state/local assembles may put in measures to ensure that safe and ethical practices are being followed to promote fairness within the company. On the other hand, these laws, especially those foreign to Japanese customs create policies that imposes more profit loss for TM because it is a foreign car company. Economic and Social Factors The first that may impact Tms profit is that the social status of the world economy as a whole. If the world market is suffering due to a world-wide recession.Customers may be forced to buy domestic cars due to their lower cost, rather than buying foreign cars. However, if consumers are earning a higher income, this may prove beneficial to Toyota thereby increasing company profit and accountability. Stability of the upcoming market is highly projected. Technological Factors Technological advancements may also be a factor in determining Tms overall production. The world relies heavily on technology to plan out the details and executions of company plans and goals. It would be wise for T MAC to continue its research developments to improve the companys value and reputation.IV. Relevant Strategic Management Lean Production System Lean Production System is the system designed and evolved in Toyota. It is modified form of Henry Fords Mass Production System. In some areas its philosophy seem exactly opposite to the fundamental principles of Mass Production System. Mass Production System Mass production is a method of producing goods in large quantities at low cost per unit. This system of production is also known as Push System or Just- in-Case System . With precision equipment, large numbers racket of identical part could be produced at low cost and with a small work force.Diversification At the time of establishment of Toyota Motor Company was in the business of making handloom. This can be seen as a Conglomerate Diversification as Toyota expanded its scope from Handloom Industry to Automobile Industry. Joint Venture ANNUM was established at the site of a former GM Fremont Assembly site that had been closed two years earlier in 1982. GM and Toyota reopened the factory as a joint venture in 1984 to manufacture vehicles to be sold under both brands. A joint venture was viewed as an approach that would lower the risk while providing help in overcoming difficult potential enigmas.Market Segmentation Toasts most significant business segment is its automotive operations. Toyota carries out its automotive operations as a global competitor in the worldwide automotive market. Toasts uses both differentiation and low cost as generic strategies to try and gain a competitive advantage over their competitors in the automotive industry. The market scope that Toyota uses is a broad one that encompasses near ly every type of customer that is in the market to purchase an automobile. Toyota is able to target such a large market because they have something for everyone.V. Alternative Courses and Action Toyota Motors Corporation, one of the largest automakers in the world. Due to growing number of recalls that it faced, sales plummeted thereby affecting the companys position in the global automotive industry. The company recalled million of vehicles in 2009 that does not only hurt the company financially but significantly damaged the companys brand. Toyota must ensure that the cars produced are faultless and of good quality. Toyota must focus on differentiating the company by concentrating on the atmosphere and design of the vehicles .It must enhance customers service s full-service provider. Excellent customer service should be observed since it would be able to make the company boost their reputation and consistency in terms of customer satisfaction. There should be a unique offering of a menities and facilities which would give them a stand out compared to other competitors, something like a trademark item or facility in which it couldnt be copied or duplicated. Toyota has a reputation of manufacturing CEO friendly cars like the Pries based upon advanced technology developed by the organization.Toyota has also sold on its technology to other motor manufacturers. There is a big demand for CEO friendly and fuel efficient cars. Since Toyota already has a first mover advantage in making hybrid CEO friendly cars, it should capitalize on this opportunity and invest more on hybrid R&D and produce more environment friendly cars. VI. Analysis of Alternatives (Advantages and Disadvantages) VI. Conclusion Toyota has sources of strong competitive advantages in global automotive industry such as value chain, strong brand, wide product offering and hybrid vehicles.Major recalls, economic crisis and intense global competition have used serious challenge for Toyota. Growing emergin g markets and shifting Customer demands offer opportunities for Toyota to attain superior profitability and growth. Toyota must sustain its competitive advantages to retain its position and achieve future success. VIII. Recommendations Toyota motors are famous for their just in time manufacturing. The organization is doing well in this regard and competes with the worlds top car manufacturing firms -However the quality of the car as compare to other car manufacturing companies is not satisfactory.They should focus on the quality ND designs of the car. As compare to Honda, the intense competitor of Toyota in Asia and some other regions, they have elegant designs and quality cars. Apart from that the company should also focus on fuel efficient and hybrid cars to increase its production and to make people aware of these cars. TM needs to become more diverse, to allow the integration of leadership in all sectors of leaderships to create a uniform leadership team. The way the system is s et up is not going too well for the companys goal of being the number one manufacturer in the world.ToyotaToyota, one of the most renowned auto company started having a problem around in 1998 when it failed o store its new brand product Lexuss datas ineffectively. though all it did not happen on purpose, but by luck the Lexus Company could not fulfil the requirement and satisfaction of its customer in its early trail of database maintenance. Lexus the Toyotas high end luxury system had implemented a Corporate Customer cultivation System in which there were some problems seen regarding the recording of customer information and override of wrong information of the customer data.Though the company had best tried to save that customer information in a appropriate think ups but due to the system deficiency the company was having a massive data quality problem. This problem aroused because the company failed to maintain and implement a central database system where all he customer info rmation would be stored in a central database, which when required would display the multi branches customer information.The company had 15 different databases stored in 15 different parts of the company, where the individual company would only access their local data stored by the local branch. In lecture of Management we can correlate this problem as lack of centralised authority to data control, storing, maintenance and update of recent transactions. The world of entropy engine room as compared to the Management is quite controversial.Controversial in a sense that, in proper management Decentralization and Delegation of authority is required to achieve the best results in efficient management performances while as in terms of Information Technology, it requires the access, storage, support and maintenance of centralised database system in rewrite to keep the up to date records of every activities performed terrestrial to track down the right solution to the problem. An effic ient Information System demands the availability of information and resources til now and whenever demanded at any point of request.The database Toyota Lexus ha designed was to store all its customer info which would help when the system was asked to provide the customer details of the owner for organizational purpose. The objective LEXUS had established to serve its customer via maintaining a customer dataset could not be fulfilled as the purpose of developing a database could no be fulfilled as it resulted to various problems in miscommunication of information all around. The ownership of the vehicles ad been transferred to the people who did not even had the ownership license, the cheques were paid to the psyche who were even not entitled to receive and the original information were passed where there had been frequent problems of fake customer identity. The customer details failed to validate the right owners of the vehicles which as a result led to a problem of data loss. B ecause of the problem, Toyota would return the owners car fixed, washed filled with fuel. Cheques were made payable to the people whom it did not even belonged to. CASE EXAMPLES Example 1 http//www. internetautoguide. om/auto-recalls/09-int/1998/lexus/gs400/index. html APR 17, 1998 pass ID 50473 Hide Details Recall Reason SUSPENSIONAUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL (ASC) Recall involvement APR 17, 1998 Model Affected GS400 Potential Units Affected 14855 Recall Summary VEHICLE DESCRIPTION PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF THE goggle RATE demodulator FOR THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC), THE VSC CAN break IMPROPERLY IF THE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY CERTAIN ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES, SUCH AS FROM A cellular PHONE. Consequence SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE BRAKE MAY OPERATE UNEXPECTEDLY, touch on STEERING AND SPEED CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. Remedy DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE YAW RATE SENSOR. Notes TOYOTA MOTOR CO. , LTD. Example 2 http//www . justanswer. com/questions/35ik7-i-have-a-1998-lexus-es300-i-have-had-problems-with-the-gas fountainhead I have a 1998 Lexus ES300, I Have had problems with the gas pedals sticking on three do but paid no attention to it until I read about this problem on new cars. Have there been other cases reported with this model? What should I do about it?Submitted 11 days and 23 hours ago. CategoryLexus Value? 7 StatusCLOSED + ReadMore Optional Information Year 1998 Make Lexus Model ES300 Already time-tested I have a 1998 Lexus ES300, I Have had problems with the gas pedals sticking on three do but paid no attention to it until I read about this problem on new cars. Have there been other cases reported with this model? What should I do about it? Accepted firmness of purpose Hi, Your particular vehicle uses a mechanical, rail line connection from the gas pedal to the intimidate tree trunk as opposed to the electrical servo type throttles regard in the numerous recall related problems .Because of that, there would be no directly correlation between the two vehicles. That being said, there are 3 typical causes for sticking throttle in your vehicle. Least likely, but easiest to check is the infamous floor mat obstruction. This is typically noticeable while effort if your floor mat is interfering with the cable, but worth checking regardless. Second, is a worn out throttle cable. This is the cable that connects the gas pedal to the throttle body. Vehicles in blue states that have more issues with rust/corrosion are more likely to see a problem here.The cable is a thin metal equip sheathed in a plastic coating. As the exposed area of metal wire corrodes from environmental elements, it widens the cable making it more difficult to get inside the cable sheath, often sticking. You can check this condition by operating the throttle body by hand an monitoring the cable to see if there is any resistance going into the sheath or if it travels smoothly. Lastly, and most c ommon, is buildup of carbon/oil elements in the throttle body. Because of the ventilation system required by law, the throttle body is exposed to oil vapor from inside the engine via breathing hoses in the intake. over time this builds up into a layer of hardened, baked-on oil inside the throttle body, right where the throttle plate needs to move. Due to it being softer than the metal throttle plate, the throttle plate always wins when it gets stuck, but the oil buildup does create resistance that will intermittently stick the throttle in position. Having the throttle body cleaned to anticipate this should be done every 15k miles on this car for full assurance, or 30k miles at minimum for normal operation. Typical cost for cleaning is 1/2 hour labor (normal minimum charge at many shops), about $45 depending on the shops labor rate. pic Expert Doug Cleland Pos. Feedback 100. 0 % Accepts 12 Answered 2/16/2010 ASE Certified Technician Toyota Factory training and worked for a heavi ly Lexus trafficked Toyota store Read more http//www. justanswer. com/questions/35ik7-i-have-a-1998-lexus-es300-i-have-had-problems-with-the-gasixzz0grgbynyy Example 3 http//www. motortrend. com/used_cars/07/1998/lexus/recalls/index. html Featured 1998 Recalls pic 1998 Lexus LX470 Before you purchase a used car, make sure you check our countywide auto recall information to see if there are any problems that have been reported by the NHTSA. You can get detailed information on how and where to fix the car defect. Recall EXTERIOR LIGHTING HEADLIGHTS Read more http//www. motortrend. com/used_cars/07/1998/lexus/recalls/index. htmlixzz0grjp1yvD Take a noteworthy case in 1998. Toyota Motor sales USA (TMS) responded to a recurring service problem with its Lexus vehicles by contacting owners, then picking up their vehicles, winning them in for repairs and leaving loaner cars as replacements.When done, the owners cars were returnedfixed, washed and tanked up. That level of service was made possible by TMSs Corporate Customer Information System, an application used by the companys call center in Iowa to help handle warranty, roadside assistance, prepaid maintenance and other service requests. But 1998 didnt go altogether smoothly. Relying on data in that system, TMS began to mail checks to Lexus owners to replace hard tires. The checks, for more than $400 each, in some cases went to people who didnt even own a Lexus.One fallible check even found its way to a Toyota auditor, for a vehicle he hadnt owned for a while. You can imagine the repercussions of that, says John Gonzales, data quality manager at TMS. We cant afford to be expectant money away to people who shouldnt be getting it. The glitch was symptomatic of a bigger problem. The system depended on customer data stored in nearly 15 databases in different parts of company, says Gonzales. Just to get to all the data about a customer, call center employees would have to navigate through four or five mainframe applications, while customers waited.The glitch resulted in a mandate from Toyotas potency of the president for a centralized, single customer database. And Gonzales was labelled to make it happen. The main goal was to service customers calls quicker, he says. But also, as the volume of calls went up, we didnt want to increase the number of people in the call center. finding a way to pull off the consolidation turned out to be no mean feat. Gonzales and his team looked at a procession of products supposedly offering business intelligence, but none fit the bill. Then, a solution was nearly dropped into his lap. While be aToyotaToyota, one of the most renowned auto company started having a problem around in 1998 when it failed o store its new brand product Lexuss datas ineffectively. Though all it did not happen on purpose, but accidentally the Lexus Company could not fulfil the requirement and satisfaction of its customer in its early trail of database mainten ance. Lexus the Toyotas high end luxury system had implemented a Corporate Customer information System in which there were some problems seen regarding the recording of customer information and override of wrong information of the customer data.Though the company had best tried to save that customer information in a appropriate manner but due to the system deficiency the company was having a massive data quality problem. This problem aroused because the company failed to maintain and implement a central database system where all he customer information would be stored in a central database, which when required would display the multi branches customer information.The company had 15 different databases stored in 15 different parts of the company, where the individual company would only access their local data stored by the local branch. In words of Management we can correlate this problem as lack of centralised authority to data control, storing, maintenance and update of recent tran sactions. The world of Information Technology as compared to the Management is quite controversial.Controversial in a sense that, in proper management Decentralization and Delegation of authority is required to achieve the best results in efficient management performances while as in terms of Information Technology, it requires the access, storage, support and maintenance of centralised database system in order to keep the up to date records of every activities performed everyday to track down the right solution to the problem. An efficient Information System demands the availability of information and resources however and whenever demanded at any point of request.The database Toyota Lexus ha designed was to store all its customer info which would help when the system was asked to provide the customer details of the owner for organizational purpose. The objective LEXUS had established to serve its customer via maintaining a customer dataset could not be fulfilled as the purpose of developing a database could no be fulfilled as it resulted to various problems in miscommunication of information all around. The ownership of the vehicles ad been transferred to the people who did not even had the ownership license, the cheques were paid to the person who were even not entitled to receive and the legitimate information were passed where there had been frequent problems of fake customer identity. The customer details failed to validate the right owners of the vehicles which as a result led to a problem of data loss. Because of the problem, Toyota would return the owners car fixed, washed filled with fuel. Cheques were made payable to the people whom it did not even belonged to. CASE EXAMPLES Example 1 http//www. internetautoguide. om/auto-recalls/09-int/1998/lexus/gs400/index. html APR 17, 1998 Recall ID 50473 Hide Details Recall Reason SUSPENSIONAUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL (ASC) Recall Date APR 17, 1998 Model Affected GS400 Potential Units Affected 14855 Reca ll Summary VEHICLE DESCRIPTION PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF THE YAW RATE SENSOR FOR THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC), THE VSC CAN OPERATE IMPROPERLY IF THE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY CERTAIN ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES, SUCH AS FROM A CELLULAR PHONE. Consequence SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE BRAKE MAY OPERATE UNEXPECTEDLY, AFFECTING STEERING AND SPEED CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. Remedy DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE YAW RATE SENSOR. Notes TOYOTA MOTOR CO. , LTD. Example 2 http//www. justanswer. com/questions/35ik7-i-have-a-1998-lexus-es300-i-have-had-problems-with-the-gas Question I have a 1998 Lexus ES300, I Have had problems with the gas pedals sticking on three occasions but paid no attention to it until I read about this problem on new cars. Have there been other cases reported with this model? What should I do about it?Submitted 11 days and 23 hours ago. CategoryLexus Value? 7 StatusCLOSED + ReadMore Optional Information Year 1998 Make Lexus Model ES300 Already Tried I have a 1998 Lexus ES300, I Have had problems with the gas pedals sticking on three occasions but paid no attention to it until I read about this problem on new cars. Have there been other cases reported with this model? What should I do about it? Accepted Answer Hi, Your particular vehicle uses a mechanical, cable connection from the gas pedal to the throttle body as opposed to the electrical servo type throttles involved in the numerous recall related problems.Because of that, there would be no directly correlation between the two vehicles. That being said, there are 3 typical causes for sticking throttle in your vehicle. Least likely, but easiest to check is the infamous floor mat obstruction. This is typically noticeable while driving if your floor mat is interfering with the cable, but worth checking regardless. Second, is a worn out throttle cable. This is the cable that connects the gas pedal to the throttle body. Vehicles in northern states that h ave more issues with rust/corrosion are more likely to see a problem here.The cable is a thin metal wire sheathed in a plastic coating. As the exposed area of metal wire corrodes from environmental elements, it widens the cable making it more difficult to travel inside the cable sheath, often sticking. You can check this condition by operating the throttle body by hand an monitoring the cable to see if there is any resistance going into the sheath or if it travels smoothly. Lastly, and most common, is buildup of carbon/oil elements in the throttle body. Because of the ventilation system required by law, the throttle body is exposed to oil vapor from inside the engine via breathing hoses in the intake.Over time this builds up into a layer of hardened, baked-on oil inside the throttle body, right where the throttle plate needs to move. Due to it being softer than the metal throttle plate, the throttle plate always wins when it gets stuck, but the oil buildup does create resistance tha t will intermittently stick the throttle in position. Having the throttle body cleaned to prevent this should be done every 15k miles on this car for full assurance, or 30k miles at minimum for normal operation. Typical cost for cleaning is 1/2 hour labor (normal minimum charge at many shops), about $45 depending on the shops labor rate. pic Expert Doug Cleland Pos. Feedback 100. 0 % Accepts 12 Answered 2/16/2010 ASE Certified Technician Toyota Factory training and worked for a heavily Lexus trafficked Toyota store Read more http//www. justanswer. com/questions/35ik7-i-have-a-1998-lexus-es300-i-have-had-problems-with-the-gasixzz0grgbynyy Example 3 http//www. motortrend. com/used_cars/07/1998/lexus/recalls/index. html Featured 1998 Recalls pic 1998 Lexus LX470 Before you purchase a used car, make sure you check our comprehensive auto recall information to see if there are any problems that have been reported by the NHTSA. You can get detailed information on how and where to f ix the car defect. Recall EXTERIOR LIGHTING HEADLIGHTS Read more http//www. motortrend. com/used_cars/07/1998/lexus/recalls/index. htmlixzz0grjp1yvD Take a noteworthy case in 1998. Toyota Motor Sales USA (TMS) responded to a recurring service problem with its Lexus vehicles by contacting owners, then picking up their vehicles, taking them in for repairs and leaving loaner cars as replacements.When done, the owners cars were returnedfixed, washed and tanked up. That level of service was made possible by TMSs Corporate Customer Information System, an application used by the companys call center in Iowa to help handle warranty, roadside assistance, prepaid maintenance and other service requests. But 1998 didnt go altogether smoothly. Relying on data in that system, TMS began to mail checks to Lexus owners to replace troublesome tires. The checks, for more than $400 each, in some cases went to people who didnt even own a Lexus.One errant check even found its way to a Toy ota auditor, for a vehicle he hadnt owned for a while. You can imagine the repercussions of that, says John Gonzales, data quality manager at TMS. We cant afford to be giving money away to people who shouldnt be getting it. The glitch was symptomatic of a bigger problem. The system depended on customer data stored in roughly 15 databases in different parts of company, says Gonzales. Just to get to all the data about a customer, call center employees would have to navigate through four or five mainframe applications, while customers waited.The glitch resulted in a mandate from Toyotas office of the president for a centralized, single customer database. And Gonzales was tagged to make it happen. The main goal was to service customers calls quicker, he says. But also, as the volume of calls went up, we didnt want to increase the number of people in the call center. Finding a way to pull off the consolidation turned out to be no mean feat. Gonzales and his team looked at a procession of products purportedly offering business intelligence, but none fit the bill. Then, a solution was nearly dropped into his lap. While attending a