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Toyota considers Corolla recall Toyota considers Corolla recall
(19 minutes later)
Embattled Japanese carmaker Toyota is considering a recall for the Corolla, the world's best-selling car.Embattled Japanese carmaker Toyota is considering a recall for the Corolla, the world's best-selling car.
It said no decision had been made as it was still looking into complaints over the Corolla's power-steering.It said no decision had been made as it was still looking into complaints over the Corolla's power-steering.
Toyota also denied any cover-up as the US investigates whether it was quick enough in recalling its cars over problems affecting other models.Toyota also denied any cover-up as the US investigates whether it was quick enough in recalling its cars over problems affecting other models.
The US car safety watchdog has ordered Toyota to hand over documents relating to its recent recalls.The US car safety watchdog has ordered Toyota to hand over documents relating to its recent recalls.
Toyota said it would "co-operate to provide all the information they have requested" on the US inquiry.Toyota said it would "co-operate to provide all the information they have requested" on the US inquiry.
Focus on quality
In a wide-ranging press conference in Tokyo, Toyota president Akio Toyoda said that he would not be attending a US Congressional hearing into the recalls set for 24 February
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 recalledFebruary 2010, worldwide: 436,000 hybrid vehicles in brake recall. Also, 7,300 Camry vehicles recalled in the US over potential brake tube problemsFebruary 2010, US: 8,000 Tacoma pick-up trucks recalled over concerns about defective shafts Q&A: Toyota recalls
Instead, Toyota's US executives will go, as Mr Toyoda focuses on the firm's quality issues.
He also said it would create a new global quality committee. The newly-announced Special Committee for Global Quality will hold its first meeting on 30 March.
And Mr Toyoda denied that the firm had tried to cover up its problems. "We have not withheld information and we shall not do so in the future," he told reporters.
The carmaker said potential complaints with the Corolla in the US currently numbered less than 100.The carmaker said potential complaints with the Corolla in the US currently numbered less than 100.
New brake systemNew brake system
Mr Toyoda said that the carmaker would add a brake-override system to all new Toyota vehicles as it seeks to recover from a global car recall. In a wide-ranging press conference in Tokyo, Toyota president Akio Toyoda said that the carmaker would add a brake-override system to all new Toyota vehicles as it seeks to recover from a global car recall.
The new system will cut engine power when the accelerator and brakes are applied at the same time.The new system will cut engine power when the accelerator and brakes are applied at the same time.
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 recalledFebruary 2010, worldwide: 436,000 hybrid vehicles in brake recall. Also, 7,300 Camry vehicles recalled in the USover potential brake tube problemsFebruary 2010, US: 8,000 Tacoma pick-up trucks recalled over concerns aboutdefective shafts Q&A: Toyota recalls
And Mr Toyoda denied that the firm had tried to cover up its problems. "We have not withheld information and we shall not do so in the future," he told reporters.
He also said that he would not be attending a US Congressional hearing into the recalls set for 24 February.
Instead, Toyota's US executives will go, as Mr Toyoda focuses on the firm's quality issues.
He also said it would create a new global quality committee. The newly-announced Special Committee for Global Quality will hold its first meeting on 30 March.
US investigation
On Wednesday, the carmaker took out full-page adverts in major Japanese newspapers to apologise for the recent recalls.On Wednesday, the carmaker took out full-page adverts in major Japanese newspapers to apologise for the recent recalls.
Toyota is continuing to recall 8.5 million vehicles worldwide because of problems linked to faulty accelerator pedals, accelerator pedals getting stuck in floor mats, and braking systems.Toyota is continuing to recall 8.5 million vehicles worldwide because of problems linked to faulty accelerator pedals, accelerator pedals getting stuck in floor mats, and braking systems.
The saga began in the US with reports that accelerator pedals were getting caught under the floor mats.The saga began in the US with reports that accelerator pedals were getting caught under the floor mats.
The Japanese car giant began taking back vehicles potentially affected by that problem in October last year and Toyota redesigned the mats.The Japanese car giant began taking back vehicles potentially affected by that problem in October last year and Toyota redesigned the mats.
The floor mat issue affected a number of vehicles in the US, but not in the UK.The floor mat issue affected a number of vehicles in the US, but not in the UK.
Later, separate acceleration problems were found to be caused by the pedal sticking.Later, separate acceleration problems were found to be caused by the pedal sticking.
The NHTSA said it was "requiring Toyota to provide documents showing when and how it learned of the defects affecting approximately six million vehicles in the US alone".The NHTSA said it was "requiring Toyota to provide documents showing when and how it learned of the defects affecting approximately six million vehicles in the US alone".
It said federal law required all carmakers to notify it within five days of discovering a safety recall, and to conduct a recall promptly.It said federal law required all carmakers to notify it within five days of discovering a safety recall, and to conduct a recall promptly.
Responding to the NHTSA, Toyota said it took responsibility for vehicle safety seriously and also recognised its responsibility to alert government officials of any safety issue "in a timely manner".Responding to the NHTSA, Toyota said it took responsibility for vehicle safety seriously and also recognised its responsibility to alert government officials of any safety issue "in a timely manner".
Toyota announced on 26 January that was suspending sales and production of eight models in the US, as it sought to resolve its problems.Toyota announced on 26 January that was suspending sales and production of eight models in the US, as it sought to resolve its problems.