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| Toyota considers recalling Prius | Toyota considers recalling Prius |
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| Toyota is considering recalling some Prius models in Japan and the US following concerns about the hybrid's brakes, the carmaker has confirmed. | Toyota is considering recalling some Prius models in Japan and the US following concerns about the hybrid's brakes, the carmaker has confirmed. |
| The US Transportation Department is investigating braking problems in the 2010 Toyota Prius after Toyota admitted brake problems with the model. | The US Transportation Department is investigating braking problems in the 2010 Toyota Prius after Toyota admitted brake problems with the model. |
| The carmaker had said it had fixed the problem in January. | The carmaker had said it had fixed the problem in January. |
| Toyota has already recalled more than eight million cars worldwide over concerns about accelerator pedals. | Toyota has already recalled more than eight million cars worldwide over concerns about accelerator pedals. |
| "There are reasons to believe that a recall could be put in place [in the US and Japan], but it's still early hours and early days," said Toyota UK's managing director Miguel Fonseca. | "There are reasons to believe that a recall could be put in place [in the US and Japan], but it's still early hours and early days," said Toyota UK's managing director Miguel Fonseca. |
| "There is still an investigation going on with the relevant authorities." | "There is still an investigation going on with the relevant authorities." |
| Further investigation | Further investigation |
| The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received 124 reports from drivers about the braking issue, including four of crashes. | The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received 124 reports from drivers about the braking issue, including four of crashes. |
| TOYOTA RECALLS: STORY SO FAR September 2007, US: 55,000 Camry and Lexus cars in floormat recallOctober 2009, US: 3.8m Toyota and Lexus vehicles recalled due to floormat problemNovember 2009, US: floormat recall increased to 4.2m vehiclesJanuary 2010, US: 2.3m Toyota vehicles recalled due to accelerator pedal problems (Of those, 2.1m already involved in floormat recall)January 2010, US: 1.1m Toyotas in floormat recallFebruary 2010, Europe: 1.8m Toyota's in pedal recallFebruary 2010, Japan, US: 200 reports of brake faults in new Prius. None recalled Q&A: Toyota recalls Toyota UK repairs start next week | TOYOTA RECALLS: STORY SO FAR September 2007, US: 55,000 Camry and Lexus cars in floormat recallOctober 2009, US: 3.8m Toyota and Lexus vehicles recalled due to floormat problemNovember 2009, US: floormat recall increased to 4.2m vehiclesJanuary 2010, US: 2.3m Toyota vehicles recalled due to accelerator pedal problems (Of those, 2.1m already involved in floormat recall)January 2010, US: 1.1m Toyotas in floormat recallFebruary 2010, Europe: 1.8m Toyota's in pedal recallFebruary 2010, Japan, US: 200 reports of brake faults in new Prius. None recalled Q&A: Toyota recalls Toyota UK repairs start next week |
| There have been no reports of any such accidents in the UK. | There have been no reports of any such accidents in the UK. |
| The investigation will look into allegations of momentary loss of braking power while travelling over uneven road surfaces. | The investigation will look into allegations of momentary loss of braking power while travelling over uneven road surfaces. |
| As depressing the brakes further activated normal braking, Toyota said the glitch was not legally a safety hazard and said it had received no reports of any accidents related to it. | As depressing the brakes further activated normal braking, Toyota said the glitch was not legally a safety hazard and said it had received no reports of any accidents related to it. |
| 'Very disappointed' | 'Very disappointed' |
| Mr Fonseca told the BBC that the braking problem was "not a defect, but a characteristic of the way the ABS system is tuned", before adding that there had been "no issues with this in the UK". | Mr Fonseca told the BBC that the braking problem was "not a defect, but a characteristic of the way the ABS system is tuned", before adding that there had been "no issues with this in the UK". |
| However, he did say that "we are very disappointed to have let customers down and accept that we could have handled [the problem] better." | However, he did say that "we are very disappointed to have let customers down and accept that we could have handled [the problem] better." |
| On Thursday, the carmaker reported a net income of 153 billion yen ($1.68bn; £1.06bn) for the final three months of 2009, compared with a loss of 164 billion yen a year earlier. | On Thursday, the carmaker reported a net income of 153 billion yen ($1.68bn; £1.06bn) for the final three months of 2009, compared with a loss of 164 billion yen a year earlier. |
| The firm also said it still expected higher sales and to make a profit this year, despite the heavy blow to the company's reputation. | The firm also said it still expected higher sales and to make a profit this year, despite the heavy blow to the company's reputation. |
| Toyota estimates its losses will reach $2bn (£1.23bn) in costs and lost sales from its worldwide recall of vehicles that might have faulty accelerator pedals, but a recall of Prius models would send this figure even higher. | |
| "The losses could escalate if it turns out that the trust and reputation the company built up over a period of decades has been demolished almost overnight," said BBC business reporter Jorn Madslien. | |
| Have you experienced similar problems with the accelerator of your Toyota? You can get in touch with us using the form below: | Have you experienced similar problems with the accelerator of your Toyota? You can get in touch with us using the form below: |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |