Toyota’s image problems in the United States

Toyota’s image problems in the United States over unintended acceleration don’t seem to be having any spillover here in Afghanistan. Toyotas are the overwhelming four-wheeled motor vehicle of choice on the pitted and dusty streets of this capital city.

It is no exaggeration to say that virtually every automobile and SUV you see on the streets of Kabul carries a Toyota brand — or did until some owner peeled it off and replaced it with a BMW or Lexus sticker.

Yellow and white Corollas, often station wagons crowded with 10 or more passengers, are the basic shared taxi in Kabul — as ubiquitous as Kalashnikovs in the hands of police and private security on every block. There are plenty of Land Cruisers, often armored, with giant antennas protruding, and blast-proof glass windows. And usually they are carrying several armed, big guys with sunglasses and bulging arms. Hiluxes, 4 Runners and pickups are around, too. Even some buses are Toyotas.

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