“Toyota has received sporadic reports of dealer demonstrations in a few geographic regions. The demonstrators have chosen not to identify themselves either verbally or through signage,” Toyota spokeswoman Celeste Migliore said in a statement cited by Autonews.
“It is unfortunate that whomever they represent, they have elected to attempt to disrupt independent and impartial business operations supporting surrounding communities. Toyota dealers have made significant investments in their businesses and contribute significantly throughout their communities.”
As already announced, King's campaign against Toyota comes as a result of the closing of the New United Motor Manufacturing (NUMMI) plant. According to the UAW president, Toyota abandoned an unionized plant, NUMMI, and chose to open a non-unionized one, in Mississippi.
The decision and call to arms has been criticized by the American International Automobile Dealers Association. In their view, these actions are nothing but “an assault on America's auto retail industry.”
Peter Welch, president of the California New Car Dealers Association also disagrees with the manner in which King chose to start his presidency.
“The new UAW president has pledged he is going to picket,” Welch told the source. “That is not a good way to start a new term. I saw yesterday that they would start here and in New York. They never stopped out here.”
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