Toyota War : double standard and irony

131 Comments / Food for thought, Literature / By

by Theo O’shaughnessy

How much influence can the world’s most affluent companies have? It’s not a simple question.

‘We have a strict policy which aims to forbid sales to known groups who may use them for paramilitary or terrorist activities’. This was an official statement issued by Toyota, the Japanese vehicle giant, when questioned about the popularity of their vehicles amongst ISIS fighters. Streams of footage from the last few years show fighters stabbing at the air with their guns. 

Behind them can be seen the boot of a truck weighed down with a makeshift turret, taking the form of a rocket launcher. Above the number plate, TOYOTA is visible beyond the dried flecks of mud.

The vehicle in question – the ‘Hilux’, or more commonly, the pickup – has been labelled the ‘third-world tank’. Rapid, light and far more affordable than military-standard tanks, they are the popular alternative amongst rebel factions, separatist groups and militias across the world.

“(We) maintain healthy and transparent relationships with political and administrative bodies”. This can be found in Toyota’s published Code of Conduct. It’s 1987, and tensions between Chad and Libya are worsened tenfold by the oppressive Saharan heat. They’re fighting over the Aouzou strip – a thin swathe of land that runs parallel to the Libyan border.     

The Libyan army seems far superior on paper; they have several Mi-24 helicopters, tanks, and rocket artillery. Propped up by the French, to whom it was a former colony, the Chadian forces made use of 400 Hilux pickup trucks to navigate themselves over the 16th Parallel that divided them – eventually becoming victors to Libya. The whole dispute was eventually labelled the ‘Toyota War’ – as if it were endorsing the bloodshed, a sponsor of sorts.  

Toyota is the world’s third-largest car manufacturer, and undoubtedly Japan’s biggest. On a loose level, Japan is like Toyota; since World War Two it has been demilitarised, and remains a pacifict nation.

But that hasn’t stopped its Self-Defence Forces – used only in the case of being attacked – from growing in numbers. The country has a surprisingly high military spending budget, coming in at 8th in the world, spending $45.4bn in 2017.

Will Japan be inevitably sucked in to the politics of the countries that surround it? Can companies like Toyota, with their huge pool of influence, really remain uninvolved with the world that it now dominates?  Meezan doen’t seek answers; rather it simply poses the questions.

 

131 thoughts on “Toyota War : double standard and irony”

  65. الأنابيب الخرسانية سابقة الإجهاد

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  102. Donaldnag

    Impacto mecanico
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  107. Donaldnag

    Diagnostico de equipos
    Aparatos de equilibrado: importante para el desempeno fluido y optimo de las maquinas.

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  110. 부산달리기

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  113. Brucerar

    Balanset-1A: State-of-the-art Mobile Balancer & Vibration Analyzer
    Next-generation Dynamic Balancing Solution
    Balanset-1A stands as an innovative solution for rotor balancing of rotors in their own bearings, developed by Estonian company Vibromera OU. The device offers professional equipment balancing at €1,751, which is 3-10 times more affordable than traditional vibration analyzers while preserving high measurement accuracy. The system enables field balancing directly at the equipment’s installation site without requiring removal, which is essential for preventing production downtime.
    About the Manufacturer
    Vibromera OU is an Estonian company concentrating in the development and manufacturing of devices for technical diagnostics of industrial equipment. The company is incorporated in Estonia (registration number 14317077) and has representatives in Portugal.
    Contact Information:

    Official website: https://vibromera.eu/shop/2/

    Technical Specifications
    Detection Parameters
    Balanset-1A delivers accurate measurements using a dual-channel vibration analysis system. The device measures RMS vibration velocity in the range of 0-80 mm/s with an accuracy of ±(0.1 + 0.1?Vi) mm/s. The working frequency range is 5-550 Hz with optional extension to 1000 Hz. The system supports rotation frequency measurement from 250 to 90,000 RPM with phase angle determination accuracy of ±1 degree.
    Working Principle
    The device employs phase-sensitive vibration measurement technology with MEMS accelerometers ADXL335 and laser tachometry. Two mono-directional accelerometers measure mechanical oscillations proportional to acceleration, while a laser tachometer generates impulse signals for determining rotation frequency and phase angle. Digital signal processing includes FFT analysis for frequency analysis and specialized algorithms for automatic calculation of correction masses.
    Full Kit Components
    The standard Balanset-1A delivery includes:

    Measurement unit with USB interface – central module with embedded preamplifiers, integrators, and ADC
    2 vibration sensors (accelerometers) with 4m cables (optionally 10m)
    Optical sensor (laser tachometer) with 50-500mm measuring distance
    Magnetic stand for sensor mounting
    Electronic scales for exact measurement of corrective masses
    Software for Windows 7-11 (32/64-bit)
    Plastic transport case
    Complete set of cables and documentation

    Functional Capabilities
    Vibrometer Mode
    Balanset-1A functions as a complete vibration analyzer with abilities for measuring overall vibration level, FFT spectrum analysis up to 1000 Hz, measuring amplitude and phase of the fundamental frequency (1x), and continuous data recording. The system provides display of time signals and spectral analysis for equipment condition diagnostics.
    Balancing Mode
    The device supports single-plane (static) and two-plane (dynamic) balancing with automatic calculation of corrective masses and their installation angles. The unique influence coefficient saving function permits substantial acceleration of subsequent balancing of same-type equipment. A dedicated grinding wheel balancing mode uses the three-correction-weight method.
    Software
    The easy-to-use program interface offers step-by-step guidance through the balancing process, making the device accessible to personnel without special training. Key functions include:

    Automatic tolerance calculation per ISO 1940
    Polar diagrams for imbalance visualization
    Result archiving with report generation capability
    Metric and imperial system support
    Multilingual interface (English, German, French, Polish, Russian)

    Application Areas and Equipment Types
    Industrial Equipment
    Balanset-1A is efficiently used for balancing fans (centrifugal, axial), pumps (hydraulic, centrifugal), turbines (steam, gas), centrifuges, compressors, and electric motors. In production facilities, the device is used for balancing grinding wheels, machine spindles, and drive shafts.
    Agricultural Machinery
    The device represents exceptional value for agriculture, where uninterrupted operation during season is essential. Balanset-1A is employed for balancing combine threshing drums, shredders, mulchers, mowers, and augers. The possibility to balance on-site without equipment disassembly allows eliminating costly downtime during critical harvest periods.
    Specialized Equipment
    The device is successfully used for balancing crushers of various types, turbochargers, drone propellers, and other high-speed equipment. The rotation frequency range from 250 to 90,000 RPM covers virtually all types of industrial equipment.
    Benefits Over Similar Products
    Economic Effectiveness
    At a price of €1,751, Balanset-1A offers the functionality of devices costing €10,000-25,000. The investment breaks even after preventing just 2-3 bearing failures. Cost reduction on third-party balancing specialist services reaches thousands of euros annually.
    Ease of Use
    Unlike sophisticated vibration analyzers requiring months of training, mastering Balanset-1A takes 3-4 hours. The step-by-step guide in the software permits professional balancing by personnel without specialized vibration diagnostics training.
    Mobility and Independence
    The complete kit weighs only 4 kg, with power supplied through the laptop’s USB port. This enables balancing in remote conditions, at remote sites, and in inaccessible locations without separate power supply.
    Versatile Application
    One device is suitable for balancing the most extensive spectrum of equipment – from small electric motors to large industrial fans and turbines. Support for single and dual-plane balancing covers all standard tasks.
    Real Application Results
    Drone Propeller Balancing
    A user achieved vibration reduction from 0.74 mm/s to 0.014 mm/s – a 50-fold improvement. This demonstrates the remarkable accuracy of the device even on small rotors.
    Shopping Center Ventilation Systems
    Engineers effectively balanced radial fans, achieving reduced energy consumption, removed excessive noise, and prolonged equipment lifespan. Energy savings paid for the device cost within several months.
    Agricultural Equipment
    Farmers note that Balanset-1A has become an indispensable tool preventing costly breakdowns during peak season. Reduced vibration of threshing drums led to reduced fuel consumption and bearing wear.
    Investment and Delivery Terms
    Current Prices

    Complete Balanset-1A Kit: €1,751
    OEM Kit (without case, stand, and scales): €1,561
    Special Offer: €50 discount for newsletter subscribers
    Bulk Discounts: up to 15% for orders of 4+ units

    Ordering Options

    Official Website: vibromera.eu (recommended)
    eBay: trusted sellers with 100% rating
    Industrial Distributors: through B2B channels

    Payment and Shipping Terms

    Payment Methods: PayPal, bank cards, bank transfer
    Shipping: 10-20 business days by international mail
    Shipping Cost: from $10 (economy) to $95 (express)
    Warranty: factory warranty
    Technical Support: included in price

    Conclusion
    Balanset-1A stands as an optimal solution for organizations striving to establish an efficient equipment balancing system without significant capital expenditure. The device democratizes access to professional balancing, enabling small enterprises and service centers to deliver services at the level of large industrial companies.
    The blend of reasonable price, ease of use, and professional capabilities makes Balanset-1A an vital tool for modern technical maintenance. Investment in this device is an investment in equipment reliability, lower operating costs, and enhanced competitiveness of your business.

    Reply

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