Toyota's Troubles Could Provide Boost for U.S. Automakers

PATCHWORK NATION -- February 3, 2010 at 11:24 AM EDT

Toyota's Troubles Could Provide Boost for U.S. Automakers

Dante Chinni, project director for Patchwork Nation, dropped by The Rundown again to talk about how the massive Toyota* recall could create a opportunity for American automakers to regain some market share. Patchwork Nation analyzed data from the "cash for clunkers" auto sales incentive program last year and found that many of Toyota's sales took place in the wealthiest community types: the Monied 'Burbs, Boom Towns and Industrial Metropolis.

Now that Toyota is recalling cars because of accelerator and floor mat problems, struggling American automakers could have a chance to catch back up in sales. Chinni wrote more about Toyota's sales in his Wednesday column in the Christian Science Monitor.

* For the record, Toyota is a NewsHour funder.

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