“Chief Engineer?” Is this guy an imposter? Laughable walk around a 2019 Taco.

Doesn't hurt my feelings.

I agree, the guy was ill prepared, but I don't think it was for a lack of knowing.

 

I’d double down on nervous. Remember the Chevy rep tanking after the World Series a few years ago? Makes this guy look more than competent.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vvxrWIKqdbo

 

His linkedin shows this

Chief Engineer
Company NameToyota Motor North America - Research and Development
Dates EmployedJul 2017 – Present
Employment Duration1 yr 7 mos
LocationAnn Arbor MI

 

Pretty hard to be Chief engineer for a product that shipped in 2015.

 

That is LinkedIn. People put all sorts of stuff that may not properly reflect themselves. I would be worried though if I were him. That video will make its way to Toyota Execs and their Marketing nazis. I have seen folks get in deep trouble for representing the company wrong in quotes let alone a video like this. Also companies usually issue strong instructions during shows not to talk to press unless instructed too.

 

"Here is our Tacoma, as you suggested."

Oh, I was hoping he would suggest it was a Yugo and go along with it.

 

Tell me about it. I used to be a company spokesperson. Nothing worse than corporate PR coming down on your ass for a bad day.

 

I don’t know how Toyota titles work but when I was in the automotive industry 4 decades ago, the top level in Engineering at our company was Chief Engineer. When I moved to a different industry, that level would have been a VP of Engineering or even senior VP. So he could be a fine manager and leader, not be exaggerating his position, and maybe came from a different specialty such as electronics or vehicle dynamics or crash safety, or even a less technical role such as Project Management, so isn’t an expert on offroad rock rails. I know this is TW, but give him a break. Seems like less BS than Sweers IMO.

 

Ok, here it is plain an simple:

How hard would it be for Toyota, with their deep pockets, vast resources, and immense number of employees, to find a few people who could attend these trade shows and speak with the same knowledge of the product as your average TW member?

Like......I wish this guy no harm.....but when it’s your job to know......it’s not like it’s really a lot of specifics being discussed.

 

Why would they bother? Do you think this video lost Toyota sales?

I think Toyota has their shit pretty well figured out... easy to be an armchair QB, but reality is, we have no idea how their inner workings function, and it's silly for us to pretend that we do.

 

I have chosen this exact moment to finally show my face to Tacoma World.

 

You're a handsome MF-er. Honored to interact with you.

 

His job is to sell cars. Most people aren't tacomaworld experts, they can say whatever they want. Do you know how much smoke they've blown up your ass about other things you know nothing about . Why would they send an engineer to an expo? They're awkward borderline crazy people

 

Having been an engineer being forced by the marketing nazis to attend shows like this I fully understand his discomfort.

 

Noticed on the steering wheel the right steering column is missing a few buttons...the lower horizontal instrument cluster has only 5 buttons instead of 6...

 

They used stock footage. Notice the view out the front windshield... no longer indoors. Guessing it's an older/lesser model.

 

For those curious... Lol

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheldon-brown-b7056712/

 

BS Begins at 1:15.....

He got thrown to the wolves. No way that's his project lol. He is filling in for someone else

 

Poor guys had 13 views in 15 years and he’s gonna see 400 randos viewing his profile.

 

It would not be hard. Hiring evangelists to do well at trade shows is easy. I bet I could hire 5-10 good speakers from this site.