Expert: Toyota recall helps U.S. carmakers only in short term

Toyota's recent recalls of almost 8 million vehicles worldwide, most for defective accelerator pedals linked to sudden acceleration, has put a dent in the company's reputation.

"Toyota's reputation for quality has been seriously but not irreparably damaged," said Herman Schwartz, a professor of politics at the University of Virginia who specializes in the politics of the global economy, including detailed study of various industries (automobiles, aircraft, semiconductors and biotech) in the U.S., other industrial countries and developing nations. Though U.S. carmakers will benefit in the short run, they have 30 years of poor quality to fix, rather than two widespread recalls."