The leading car manufacturer in the world has made a huge call back of some of their models in an effort to prevent accidents linked to faulty accelerator pedals.
The massive recall Toyota announced came on Tuesday 26th of January as some eight various sold Toyota models numbering more than 2 million have been revealed to have sticking gas pedals that causes the car to accelerate uncontrollably.
Among the Toyota models affected and placed on sales suspension are:
Corolla (2009-2010)
RAV4 (2009-2010)
Matrix (2009-2010)
Avalon (2005-2010)
Camry (2007-2010)
Highlander (2010)
Tundra (2007-2010)
Sequoia (2008-2010)
Not every Camry models have the problem with sticking accelerator pedal, specifically Camry Hybrids. Toyota’s other car models such as the Yaris, Land Cruiser, Tacoma, Prius, etc. have also passed quality inspection.
In North America, six assembly plants have stopped production of these particular Toyota models.
Toyota’s reputation as a reliable car manufacturer has been smudged and this would also probably strain their profits for the first quarter of this year, if not the entire year. In 2008, Toyota had surpassed General Motors Co. of America in terms of sales, placing them in the number one spot. With this unexpected turn of event, however, the popular Japanese car manufacturer’s future sways on edge.
Toyota’s European market can also be subjected to a same recall since some parts of the gas pedals that are used in North America are also used on some Toyota models in Europe. It is believed that only one supplier from the US was the only source of the defective part.
A previous incident in Japan back in 2006 concerning Toyota is also being linked to the recent recall. The incident involved the Japanese government conducting a criminal investigation on Toyota due to several accidents that took place and being traced to manufacturing problems. Although the company or someone from the company was never charged, this incident has come back to haunt the company in a certain way.
Following the recall, Toyota’s shares fell 4.3 percent.
In a previous statement, Toyota declared a forecast sale of 2.19 million cars in the US and Canada and above 8 million car sales worldwide for this year. Due to this recent embarrassment, though, that sales forecast could dramatically plummet or could even cost Toyota huge in their sales profit.
Toyota’s current trouble related to its manufacturing is also being blamed on the growth plan which was organized by its previous president Katsuaki Watanabe. The growth strategy involved increased and rapid production which is said to have contributed to poor quality control. After 4 years as Toyota’s president Watanabe was replaced by Akio Toyoda, the grandson of the founder of Toyota.
There have already been reports from numerous safety firms that more than 2,000 incidents of sudden acceleration involving cars made by Toyota and at least six casualties were also reported.
Other than the recall, Toyota is still the leading manufacturer and seller of green technology in cars, specifically the Prius.
