Six weeks ago, when I first began to take a somewhat passionate stand for the embattled Toyota Corporation, I did so because I was confident the world's largest automobile manufacturer was being "railroaded." I felt then, as I do now, that there was more to the vicious allegations than just a series of recalls.

I am very much an American, just like the 200,000 other Americans who work for Toyota, but who also fervently believe in our country. So it was unfathomable to all of “us” that the same Toyota, hailed as the industry's "bench mark" just over a year ago when the government bailed out General Motors and Chrysler, could fall into disrepair so quickly and so shamefully.

Oh, it was easy for me to defend Toyota, one of the finest brands in the world. Today many of the allegations, heavily covered by the media, are proving to be unfounded and the truth is catching up to the congressional hysteria as well. There are also a growing number who feel the intense heat was stealthily heightened by some lobbyists, calling in markers on political campaign contributions that were doled out by the powerful United Auto Workers union (Toyota is non-union.)

But this story isn't about all of that. Instead it is to tell you that in just six weeks' time I've gone from being a casual observer to the a still-surprised yet very excited ambassador of sorts for Lexus of Chattanooga and the Toyota brand. Instead of helping to sing the chorus, I am now a very loyal Toyota employee in what has to be one of the greatest miracles since the Bible's water-to-wine episode.

In the first story I wrote, I assured Toyota president Akio Toyoda that Americans have a proud tradition of overcoming adversity. I used myself as an example, telling him Toyota had nothing to do with the fact my Sequoyah was repossessed a couple of years ago, but that, by the time all is said and done, I'm going to make that bitter chapter in my life turn out right.

Well, Bob McKamey, who owns Chattanooga's Toyota and Lexus dealerships, had known I had a lengthy struggle with my health, but he had no idea I'd lost a vehicle as well as my right elbow. Nobody really knows how many men and women Bob has helped - he doesn't talk about it - but he wanted to talk to me about it and, at the risk of embarrassing him, he and his family wanted to help me.

That's the truth. And when I wrote several other articles about Toyota, and was deeply moved by literally hundreds of emails from Toyota employees from all across the country, I had no way of knowing that he and sales manager Joe Prebul would offer me a rather unique job to help them sell the world's finest cars.

Oh, I know nothing about selling cars. My job is to find people who want to buy a Lexus, the brand just voted as the No. 1 car in the world by the independent research firm, J.D. Powers, or someone who wants to buy a Toyota. Then I'll be a "guide" of sorts, making the car-buying experience such a delight everybody will want a Lexus or a Toyota.

We are all pretty keen on not taking a speck of commission away from the true professional salespeople who work at the Lexus and Toyota stores on Lee Highway. My deal is that I'm the "bell cow," the "bird dog," and anyone who calls on me to help provide the best sales experience in the world will be that much better off.

In the past six weeks, after all I have read and seen, I am convinced Lexus and Toyota are easily among the safest and most reliable automobiles in the world. A mountain of statistics prove that, but my introduction, as it were, came during the recent media assault on the company. My findings were heightened by all those unsolicited emails from company employees from across America who convinced me they believe so deeply in the products they manufacture that I should, too.

Are you kidding me? Out of the storm was born not only a chance for me to further get back on my feet, but to also join an army that will once again prove that Toyota is the biggest car manufacturer in the world for a reason; they sell the most cars because they are – what? – the best cars.

This is going to be a lot of fun and if you want to feel like a million bucks let me show you a Lexus. Let me introduce you to the “real” Toyota. We’re both going to shine like never before.

royexum@aol.com