Based on your reasoning, why don't all other automakers (all have large marketing budgets, GM spends even more than Toyota) have similar reps for quality? Toyo

Based on your reasoning, why don't all other automakers (all have large marketing budgets, GM spends even more than Toyota) have similar reps for quality? Toyota's rep has been well earned, there's plenty of literature in operations about this, as well as popular trade coverage (i.e., http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/29/automobiles/japanese-autos-lose-ground-in-consumer-reports-reliability-ratings.html http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/29/automobiles/japanese-autos...) Their software process wasn't given the same attention, and they've been burned by it. Embedded systems are really tricky, and a good process (design through end-of-life) is key.