Toyota Prius Recall - Breaking News
Toyota boss berated over Prius recall
Toyota's recall of its latest model Prius has prompted a rare public
rebuke for the company from the Japanese Government.
The recall affects more than 400,000 hybrid cars worldwide,
including 2,400 new generation Prius models in Australia.
Toyota says it needs to fix a software glitch in the antilock
braking system.
Japan's Transport Minister Seiji Maehara has berated Toyota's
president Akio Toyoda in front of reporters, saying the car-maker
should have listened to its customers earlier and respected their
complaints.
Mr Maehara says Toyota may have taken concerns about the Prius
braking problem too lightly.
In terms of numbers the recall is not as drastic as the earlier
recall of 8 million other Toyota cars because of accelerator and
floor mat problems.
But the recall of the latest model Prius is arguably a bigger blow
to the company's prestige.
The Prius is the world's most popular hybrid, Toyota's best-selling
model in Japan, and the car the company is betting its future on.
Akio Toyoda is the grandson of the car-maker's founder and the
president of Toyota.
He will lead his charge to restore the company's reputation by
visiting the United States to re-assure customers there.
"Let me assure everyone that we will redouble our commitment to
quality as a lifeline of our company with myself taking the lead,"
he said.
The world's leading car-maker is facing the prospect of legal action
in the US over its Prius problems, as well as an investigation by US
traffic safety authorities.
For Mr Toyoda the news cannot get much worse. His task now is to
rebuild.
"All of us at Toyota will tackle the issue in close cooperation with
our dealers and with the suppliers together. We will do everything
in our power to regain the confidence of our customers," he said.
Automotive industry experts say Toyota's recall of the latest model
Prius will deter people from buying hybrid cars.
Automotive journalist John Mellor says people are going to now think
twice about buying environmentally-friendly cars.
"These vehicles have what's called regenerative braking. In other
words, when you put the brakes on it starts recharging the
batteries," he said.
"And I think what's happening here is that if there is a slight
fault, it's showing up as feeling as thought the brakes aren't
working at all.
"So, it could well be that the new technology is in fact showing up
as a very uncomfortable problem."
Mr Mellor says the latest problem is a disaster.
"Toyota is a bit battered right now and unintended acceleration is
probably the worst thing that could happen to a car company in that
the car won't slow down when somebody takes their foot off the
accelerator. It's a disaster really," he said.
Toyota Australia spokesman Glenn Campbell says the 2,400 Australian
customers affected will be contacted by the carmaker.
"Prius customers should be looking out for a letter that will be
sent by Toyota Australia," he said.
"They'll also be contacted by their dealers, will be encouraging
them to arrange a time to get their vehicle inspected, we'll get it
repaired and we'll get them back on the road."
Mr Campbell says it is a huge concern for the company.
"We're always concerned if we receive reports from customers who
believe the vehicle has not performed to their expectations," he
said.
"We'll get the repairs done and make sure that the customers can
have full confidence in their vehicle."