The latest issue involving motor defect is the Volkswagen emission scandal. Millions of motor vehicles from different manufacturers have been affected. The GM started the recall and then followed by Toyota. In fact, none of the leading motor manufacturers have been spared. These cases have led to public safety concerns and crisis management for the motor industry (Harwell 1).
Several industry experts have attributed these defects to a wide range of factors, including software-related issues, modular manufacturing processes and, perhaps most of all, increasing fear among other automakers that they could have defective vehicles in the market (Wasserman 1).
Defects in the motor industry have been attributed to onboard software and algorithm used in the airbag deployment (Wasserman 1). In the last few years, Volkswagen, GM, Nissan, Chrysler and Toyota among others have noted defects related to technologies in their different models. In the past, major recalls were mainly related to mechanical issues. Today, however, the mass defects involving software has just started in the motor industry, and many more recalls will be realized in the future.
Another potential factor responsible for defects is the use of modular components (O’Dell 1). That is, many more components are used by various manufacturers in different car models. They consider that modular component usage as a cost-saving strategy. While it save costs, in cases of defect parts, the motor industry experiences significant challenges and can hardly contain the problem (Boudette and Kachi 1).
The case of Volkswagen’s defect is the most outrageous because it was sheer fraud. It was premeditation. This sets apart other defects noted in the motor industry because the company’s diesel emission test was well faked and executed (Phelan 1). Thus, defects in the motor industry can also be attributed to rogue engineers, who ignore the rigorous engineering and safety standards expected in the industry.
Despite these defects, the industry professional and the NHTSA maintain that vehicles are become safer relative to the previous years (Duffer 1). Some highway accidents are related to defects and, therefore, recalls are useful to ensure safety of drivers and occupants.
Works Cited
Boudette, Neal E. and Hiroyuki Kachi. “Big Car Makers in Race to Recall.” The Wall Street Journal. 2014. Web.
Duffer, Robert. Why are automakers recalling so many cars? 2014. Web.
Harwell, Drew. “It’s the worst year ever for auto recalls. Why are so many dangerous cars still on the road?” The Washington Post. 2014. Web.
O’Dell, John. Why Are So Many Cars Being Recalled? 2015. Web.
Phelan, Mark. “Analysis: Why VW’s emissions fraud is such an outrage.” USA Today. 2015. Web.
Wasserman, Todd. “Why Are There So Many Auto Recalls These Days?” Mashable. 2014. Web.