By David A. Graham
Recalls aren’t new. They were inspired in part by the 1965 publication of Unsafe at Any Speed, a damning look at safety standards in the auto industry. The book launched the career of its author, Ralph Nader (right). While Nader’s later attempts to challenge the major parties for the U.S. presidency didn’t go all that far, he can take credit for helping to create the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Unfortunately, recalls still happen. For the companies that issue them, they can be a make-or-break experience—a manufacturer can restore confidence in its products and recapture loyal customers, but if a recall is mishandled, companies like Toyota risk losing a generation of buyers. As former bestsellers like the Prius (left) sit unsold, Toyota might want to learn from other companies’ experiences. Here’s a look at recalls of the past.
