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Toyota in global recall of Prius Toyota in global recall of Prius
(10 minutes later)
Toyota has announced the recall of 436,000 hybrid cars worldwide including its latest Prius model.Toyota has announced the recall of 436,000 hybrid cars worldwide including its latest Prius model.
It includes more than 200,000 Prius cars sold in Japan and 8,500 cars in the UK.It includes more than 200,000 Prius cars sold in Japan and 8,500 cars in the UK.
The company, already dealing with the recall of 8 million vehicles, filed papers at Japan's transport ministry about the Prius's sold since 2009 May.The company, already dealing with the recall of 8 million vehicles, filed papers at Japan's transport ministry about the Prius's sold since 2009 May.
The company has already recalled millions of vehicles this year because of accelerator and floor mat problems.The company has already recalled millions of vehicles this year because of accelerator and floor mat problems.
"We will do our best to regain customers' trust," said Toyota managing officer Hiroyuki Yokoyama, as he handed papers for the recall to a government official on Tuesday. Company President Akio Toyoda - already dealing with damage to the brand's reputation in the wake of the other problems - made the recall announcement at a news conference on Tuesday afternoon.
"We have decided to recall as we regard safety for our customers as our foremost priority," Toyoda said.
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. Cars recalled Q&A: Toyota recalls Toyota UK repairs start next week Reputation could suffer for yearsTOYOTA 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. Cars recalled Q&A: Toyota recalls Toyota UK repairs start next week Reputation could suffer for years
Company president Akio Toyoda, already dealing with damage to the brand's reputation in the wake of the other problems, is to hold a news conference shortly. Toyoda earlier wrote in the Washington Post that he was "deeply disappointed" for not maintaining the high standards US customers expected.
He wrote in the Washington Post that he was "deeply disappointed" for not maintaining the high standards US customers expected.
"As the president of Toyota, I take personal responsibility," he wrote. "That is why I am personally leading the effort to restore trust in our word and in our products.""As the president of Toyota, I take personal responsibility," he wrote. "That is why I am personally leading the effort to restore trust in our word and in our products."
The Prius was Japan's top-selling car in 2009 and the world's most popular hybrid model.The Prius was Japan's top-selling car in 2009 and the world's most popular hybrid model.
There have been complaints in Japan and the US that the brakes momentarily fail when driven on rough roads.There have been complaints in Japan and the US that the brakes momentarily fail when driven on rough roads.
The brake problem was thought to affect about 270,000 Prius models that were sold in the US and Japan starting last May.The brake problem was thought to affect about 270,000 Prius models that were sold in the US and Japan starting last May.
Toyota blames a software glitch and says it has already fixed vehicles sold this year.Toyota blames a software glitch and says it has already fixed vehicles sold this year.
Hybrid Sai, sold only in Japan, and Lexus HS250h, sold globally, would also be recalled, the company said on Tuesday.Hybrid Sai, sold only in Japan, and Lexus HS250h, sold globally, would also be recalled, the company said on Tuesday.
The US Transportation Department said last week it was investigating the braking problems with Prius.The US Transportation Department said last week it was investigating the braking problems with Prius.
The Prius recall is expected to send Toyota's losses up even higherThe Prius recall is expected to send Toyota's losses up even higher
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received 124 reports from drivers about it, including four of crashes.The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received 124 reports from drivers about it, including four of crashes.
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 US investigation will look into allegations of momentary loss of braking power while travelling over uneven road surfaces.The US investigation will look into allegations of momentary loss of braking power while travelling over uneven road surfaces.
Mr Toyoda wrote that he had been in contact with US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and assured him that communication would be kept open, would be more frequent, and that Toyota would be "more vigilant in responding" to officials.Mr Toyoda wrote that he had been in contact with US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and assured him that communication would be kept open, would be more frequent, and that Toyota would be "more vigilant in responding" to officials.
Toyota has already recalled about 8 million other vehicles with faulty accelerator pedals or floor mats.Toyota has already recalled about 8 million other vehicles with faulty accelerator pedals or floor mats.
Before it announced the Prius recall in Japan, Toyota estimated that its losses would reach $2bn (£1.23bn) in costs and lost sales from its worldwide recall of vehicles that might have faulty accelerator pedals.Before it announced the Prius recall in Japan, Toyota estimated that its losses would reach $2bn (£1.23bn) in costs and lost sales from its worldwide recall of vehicles that might have faulty accelerator pedals.
The Prius recall is expected to send this figure even higher.The Prius recall is expected to send this figure even higher.
Do you own a Toyota Prius? Are you affected by the recall? Send your comments using the post form below.Do you own a Toyota Prius? Are you affected by the recall? Send your comments using the post form below.
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box 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 & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions