Although many pro-domestic-production fans are snickering at the current problems facing Toyota, this scenario really shouldn’t have surprised anybody. It’s been going on for thousands of years.

The people in power get too caught up in the attempt to be the biggest and most powerful that they stretch the lines of supply and communication too far, and problems that could be easily and quickly dealt with are often left unattended until they become monumental and sometimes even insurmountable.

When you look back over history, all the super powers have had to deal with issues related to the drive to become all-powerful everywhere in the world, instead of taking care of business close to the home office.

The Roman Empire had to continuously battle disorder in its far reaches and subdivided itself several times in order to attempt to control its vast territory; but stretched out around the Mediterranean, it was slowly eroded by the hordes of barbarian invaders.

One of those, the Huns, had itself crafted a mass empire that stretched throughout Europe. But they were basically a bunch of roaming tribes who went forth to wreak havoc with the belief that what they’d already conquered would remain submissive.

At its peak, the Mongol empire encompassed all of modern Asia, save for China and India but its downfall was civil strife that initially subdivided the territory into manageable provinces, but then fractured it outright.

And closer to home, Ford had built up its empire to include conquests in Scandinavia and Britain by the turn of the century, to the point that many saw it taking the world’s top automaker mantle from General Motors, who was stretching out its tentacles to southeast Asia and Scandinavia, while maintaining a grip on Australia and Europe.

And so, like the Romans who were unable to effectively supply the far reaches of their territories (workforces and suppliers in North America), the Huns who believed that those in the fold would overlook transgressions (past buyers who would live and die by the Toyota reputation for quality) and the Mongols who had to deal with divisions within their ranks who felt they knew what was best for the whole (the push to large trucks and SUVs to satisfy the North American buyer), Toyota had to eventually succumb to the pressures of maintaining its “top dog” status.

Whether it will overcome the strife and continue its dynasty remains to be seen but don’t be too surprised if a new conqueror comes along.

Tags: top seller, Toyota