Branding - Effect on Publicity

This event negatively effected the Toyota brand. Toyota specifically markets itself as inexpensive but trustworthy. Widespread system failures, especially in an area as critical as steering, go a long way to damage the perception of reliability.

A frequent criticism of individuals who spend lots of time using technology is that it's "bad for your health." This is often used to shame people, limiting daily usage/overall purchases. Studies showing previously unknown health benefits of an item or activity usually correspond with an increase of usage of that item or activity. In this case, a report about health benefits helps the Google brand by disassociating it from negative stereotypes about health.