Toyota World

Jim Lentz visiting dealerships

Posted on March 1, 2010 with No Comments

Here you can see what the dealerships do to fix the problem with the recalled vehicles by Toyota.
Jim Lentz president & COO is visiting a dealership.

It’s great that they have find a solution about this major problem. Dealerships are repairing 50,000 vehicles a day!

Toyota’s most recent sufferings may be hard-wired

Posted on February 17, 2010 with No Comments

More complicated problems with regard to car electronics founded on consumer charges and study by an electronics engineer along with the escalating criticism of mechanical glitches in its cars is being faced by Toyota. The electronics engineer is familiar with the history of accelerator control of Toyota.

At the same time political issues also continue to heap up for the company. All this is taking place when the car company has already recalled 6.5 million vehicles which include recent Camry’s, Corollas, and RAV4s. Simultaneously the 2010 Prius has ‘Electronic Throttle Control System with intelligence (ETCS-i)’ claims Toyota.

The Department of Transportation in the U.S. increased the force on Toyota. This happened when the head of the agency and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, informed owners of called back fomites to stop driving them. But later on Ray with drew the above statement and said that what he had actually meant was only that Toyota possessors who are concerned about their cars ought to take them to dealerships.

Authorities in Japan ordered Toyota to scrutinize reports of defective brakes on its high-profile Prius hybrid car. This was done immediately when the federal safety governors in the U.S. started a fuller probe into Toyota’s electronic systems.

The Prius also did not escape scrutiny the co-founder of Apple, Steve Wozniak arrogated that he had been going through abrupt speedup in his 2010 Prius due to a so-called “software” bug. This alleged statement whether it is valid or not it does posses a question on the electronic systems of Toyota.

Because of recalls Toyota, has lost some of its lustre at its Japanese hometown

Posted on February 17, 2010 with No Comments

Toyota even at its hometown has missed some of its charisma. Actually this city has been one of the most Toyota-friendly places on the globe. The inhabitants of this city like the remaining world were totally taken aback by the safety troubles that led to a great deal of Toyota vehicles being recalled. But the most shocking came when the global icon came across as hesitant and ill-equipped.

Akari Mizunaga an employee of a local trading company depending much on Toyota for its business said “Maybe Toyota isn’t any different from ordinary companies.”

Hideki Nagata and independent auto repairer stated that “You can’t really separate the town from the company. And now there is this sense of – are we OK?”

Toyota dipped to its first yearly loss in almost 60 years last financial year, and as the car manufacturer’s tax payments came down the city’s financial gain has also shrivelled.

The city has tried to blanket the deficit by depending on its cash reserves, thrice the amount of obligation it brings out, and shelving long-term projects.

Last week Toyota stated that the company would be profitable again in the present fiscal year through March. It now anticipates a profit of 80 billion yen ($890 million), against a former projection for a 200 billion yen loss. But alas the recent safety issues brought its creditworthiness to a low level. Ueyama a 54 year old citizen remarked that “This is a chance for American companies like GM, who could catch up.”

Toyota Recall: Toyota Tacoma Recall

Posted on February 14, 2010 with No Comments

Another recall by Toyota; The Toyota Tacoma 4WD trucks need to be inspected as well. Below the official press release by Toyota:

Toyota Announces Voluntary Recall on 8,000 2010 Model Year Tacoma 4WD Trucks to Inspect the Front Drive Shaft
TORRANCE, Calif., February 12, 2010 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc, today announced it will conduct a voluntary safety recall to inspect the front drive shaft on a small production run of certain 2010 model year Tacoma 4WD trucks. The front shaft in approximately 8,000 vehicles may include a component that contains cracks that developed during the manufacturing process. As those vehicles are used, the cracks may eventually lead to the separation of the drive shaft at the joint portion.

This condition only involves two specific front drive shaft production lot numbers installed in certain 2010 model year Tacoma 4WD vehicles. No other Toyota or Lexus vehicles are involved.

Dealers will be instructed to perform an inspection to identify the specific lot numbers located on the front drive shaft. Based upon the inspection results, in a limited number of cases, the front drive shaft may need to be replaced.

The inspection is estimated to take ten minutes. The inspection and/or replacement will be performed at no cost to the vehicle owner.

Toyota will notify owners by first class mail starting in mid-March, 2010.

Detailed information and answers to questions about issues related to this recall are available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall and at the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Toyota Motor Sales, Corporate Communications
(310) 468-5297
(310) 468-7359

Toyota Recall: Prius and 2010 Lexus HS 250h

Posted on February 9, 2010 with No Comments

Toyota Announces Voluntary Recall on 2010 Model-Year Prius and 2010 Lexus HS 250h Vehicles to Update ABS Software

Inspection of Power Steering Hose Position on Certain 2010 Camry Also Announced

Recalls Underscore Toyota’s Commitment to Address All Vehicle Quality and Safety Issues Promptly and Effectively

TORRANCE, Calif., February 8, 2010 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc, today announced it will conduct a voluntary safety recall on approximately 133,000 2010 Model Year Prius vehicles and 14,500 Lexus Division 2010 HS 250h vehicles to update software in the vehicle’s anti-lock brake system (ABS). No other Toyota, Lexus, or Scion vehicles are involved in this recall.

The ABS, in normal operation, engages and disengages rapidly (many times per second) as the control system senses and reacts to tire slippage. Some 2010 model year Prius and 2010 HS 250h owners have reported experiencing inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady application of brakes on rough or slick road surfaces when the ABS is activated in an effort to maintain tire traction.

Toyota has responded to owner concerns with a running production change for 2010 Prius that was introduced last month, improving the ABS system’s response time, as well as the system’s overall sensitivity to tire slippage. The production change for the HS 250h is planned for later this month.

“We’re committed to doing everything we can – as fast as we can – to restore consumer trust in Toyota, and these recalls are part of this effort,” said Jim Lentz, President and Chief Operating Officer, Toyota Motor Sales. “We regret the inconvenience this recall will cause to Prius and HS 250h owners, and will do our best with the support of our dealers to make sure that it is conducted in the most trouble-free manner possible.”

Mr. Lentz continued: “As part of the quality improvement program announced by Toyota President Akio Toyoda last week, our company is undertaking a top to bottom review to ensure that our vehicles meet our own high standards of safety and reliability, now and for the future. We are taking steps to implement more stringent quality control across the company, to investigate customer complaints more aggressively and to respond more quickly to any safety issues we identify.”

The recall will allow Toyota dealers to perform the software update on 2010 Prius vehicles sold prior to this running production change. Only Prius vehicles produced since May 2009 and all HS 250h vehicles are subject to this recall. First- and second-generation Prius vehicles use a different ABS system and are not involved in this campaign.

The ABS system on the Lexus HS 250h is similar in design to the Prius. The software adjustment planned for HS 250h production and dealer modification is being finalized and will be announced very soon.

Toyota will begin mailing letters to Prius owners included in this recall next week and HS 250h owners within the next few weeks, to let them know when to bring their vehicles into a dealership. Owners will only receive a letter if their vehicle is involved in the recall.

Separately, Toyota will conduct a voluntary safety recall on approximately 7,300 early production – 2010 model year Camry vehicles equipped with the 4 cylinder engine to inspect for a power steering hose that may be in contact with a front brake tube. This contact could lead to a hole in the brake tube and cause a brake fluid leak, increased brake pedal stroke and greater vehicle stopping distance.

Owners of the involved 2010 Camry vehicles will be notified by mail starting in the middle of February.

Detailed information about these recalls is available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall and at the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Toyota Motor Sales, Corporate Communications
(310) 468-5297
(310) 468-7359

Source: Toyota Pressroom

Toyota recall action: Jim Lentz visits a dealership

Posted on February 5, 2010 with No Comments

On the sidebar, you can find the latest video of Toyota. Toyota President and COO Jim Lentz visits a Toyota dealership to talk about recall actions. In the video on the sidebar, you can see how they fix the problem with the gas pedals.

1 Million Production by Toyota by 2011

Posted on February 5, 2010 with No Comments

The new range of hybrid production by Toyota will include hybrid minivans and subcompacts. A subcompact hybrid founded on the Toyota FT-CH is one among the 10 new hybrid models anticipated from Toyota in a few years.

In reality Toyota actually took a span of 10 years to sell its first 1 million hybrids globally. It attained that milepost in June 2007, one decade since it started selling the first-generation Toyota Prius in Japan. The company now has goals of selling 1 million annual global hybrid sales by 2011.

The automaker of late advised the suppliers of parts to the company that it has intentions of rolling out around 800,000 hybrids domestically in 2010. This figure will rise to 900,000 in 2011 and approximately 1.1 million in 2012. When home production unites with Toyota hybrids set up at 4 overseas sites, the production volume will go past 1 million in 2011.

Toyota president and CEO Yoshi Inaba stated last week in Detroit that “Toyota is reviving plans to produce the Prius hybrid at its idle factory in Blue Springs”, she did not say exactly when it will happen. She only said that “it will happen when the [economic] recovery hits full stride.” Toyota anticipates the car sales in US to increase by 10% this year which is approximately 11.4 million vehicles. Toyota at present produces the Camry Hybrid in the United States, at its Georgetown, Ky. plant.

Toyota Prius also break issues

Posted on February 4, 2010 with No Comments

Official press release:

Updated Statement From Toyota Regarding Prius Brake Issue

TORRANCE, Calif., February 4, 2010 – Toyota is aware that NHTSA has opened a Preliminary Evaluation centered on owner complaints of a braking issue with the 2010 model year Prius. Toyota will cooperate fully with NHTSA’s investigation.

Some customers have complained of inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady application of brakes on rough or slick road surfaces when the anti-lock brake system (ABS) is activated in an effort to maintain tire traction.  The system, in normal operation, engages and disengages rapidly (many times per second) as the control system senses and reacts to tire slippage.  A running production change was introduced last month, improving the ABS system’s response time, as well as the system’s overall sensitivity to tire slippage.

This preliminary evaluation addresses owner complaints specific to the 2010 Prius.  This condition is not related to either the floor mat entrapment recall or the sticky pedal recall currently in action.

Toyota will continue to evaluate the condition as it relates to owner complaints and will keep NHTSA informed of its progress.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Toyota Motor Sales, Corporate Communications
(310) 468-5297

(310) 468-7359

Media Web site: http://www.toyotanewsroom.com
Public Web site: http://www.toyota.com

Source: Toyota Press-room

Toyota’s Comprehensive Plan on recalled vehicles

Posted on February 1, 2010 with 2 Comments

Toyota Announces Comprehensive Plan to Fix Accelerator Pedals on Recalled Vehicles and Ensure Customer Safety

Below the official press release of Toyota USA according the gas pedal problem on recalled vehicles:

Rigorously Tested Reinforced Pedals Will Eliminate the Excess Friction that Caused Sticking

Toyota Will Make Concerted Effort to Repair Recalled Vehicles as Quickly and Conveniently as Possible

TORRANCE, Calif., February 1, 2010 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A., Inc., today announced it will begin fixing accelerator pedals in recalled Toyota Division vehicles this week. Toyota’s engineers have developed and rigorously tested a solution that involves reinforcing the pedal assembly in a manner that eliminates the excess friction that has caused the pedals to stick in rare instances. In addition, Toyota has developed an effective solution for vehicles in production.

Parts to reinforce the pedals are already being shipped for use by dealers, and dealer training is under way. Many Toyota dealers will work extended hours to complete the recall campaign as quickly and conveniently as possible, some even staying open 24 hours a day. The company has also taken the unprecedented action of stopping production of affected vehicles for the week of February 1.

“Nothing is more important to us than the safety and reliability of the vehicles our customers drive,” said Jim Lentz, president and Chief Operating Officer, TMS. “We deeply regret the concern that our recalls have caused for our customers and we are doing everything we can – as fast as we can – to make things right. Stopping production is never an easy decision, but we are 100% confident it was the right decision. We know what’s causing the sticking accelerator pedals, and we know what we have to do to fix it. We also know it is most important to fix this problem in the cars on the road.”

Lentz added: “We are focused on making this recall as simple and trouble-free as possible, and will work day and night with our dealers to fix recalled vehicles quickly. We want to demonstrate that our commitment to safety is as high as ever and that our commitment to our customers is unwavering.”

On January 21, Toyota announced its intention to recall approximately 2.3 million select Toyota Division vehicles equipped with a specific pedal assembly and suspended sales of the eight models involved in the recall on January 26.

Toyota vehicles affected by the recall include:
• Certain 2009-2010 RAV4
• Certain 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2009-2010 Matrix
• 2005-2010 Avalon
• Certain 2007-2010 Camry
• Certain 2010 Highlander
• 2007-2010 Tundra
• 2008-2010 Sequoia

No Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are affected by these actions. Also not affected are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Highlander hybrids and certain Camry models, including Camry hybrids, all of which remain for sale.

Further, Camry, RAV4, Corolla and Highlander vehicles with Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) that begin with “J” are not affected by the accelerator pedal recall.

In the event that a driver experiences an accelerator pedal that sticks in a partial open throttle position or returns slowly to idle position, the vehicle can be controlled with firm and steady application of the brakes. The brakes should not be pumped repeatedly because it could deplete vacuum assist, requiring stronger brake pedal pressure. The vehicle should be driven to the nearest safe location, the engine shut off and a Toyota dealer contacted for assistance.

Detailed information and answers to questions about issues related to this recall are available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall and at the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

How Toyota Will Fix Recalled Vehicles

Toyota has pinpointed the issue that could, on rare occasions, cause accelerator pedals in recalled vehicles to stick in a partially open position. The issue involves a friction device in the pedal designed to provide the proper “feel” by adding resistance and making the pedal steady and stable. The device includes a shoe that rubs against an adjoining surface during normal pedal operation. Due to the materials used, wear and environmental conditions, these surfaces may, over time, begin to stick and release instead of operating smoothly. In some cases, friction could increase to a point that the pedal is slow to return to the idle position or, in rare cases, the pedal sticks, leaving the throttle partially open.

Toyota’s solution for current owners is both effective and simple. A precision-cut steel reinforcement bar will be installed into the assembly that will reduce the surface tension between the friction shoe and the adjoining surface. With this reinforcement in place, the excess friction that can cause the pedal to stick is eliminated. The company has confirmed the effectiveness of the newly reinforced pedals through rigorous testing on pedal assemblies that had previously shown a tendency to stick.

Separately from the recall for sticking accelerator pedals, Toyota is in the process of recalling vehicles to address rare instances in which floor mats have trapped the accelerator pedal in certain Toyota and Lexus models (announced November 25, 2009), and is already notifying customers about how it will fix this issue. In the case of vehicles covered by both recalls, it is Toyota’s intention to remedy both at the same time.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Toyota Motor Sales, Corporate Communications
(310) 468-5297
(310) 468-7359

Media Web site: http://www.toyotanewsroom.com
Public Web site: http://www.toyota.com

Source: Toyota Press-room

Japan is not bothered about the recall of Toyota in the US

Posted on February 1, 2010 with No Comments

The owners of Toyota in America are clearly alarmed about inflating call-backs over defective gas pedals and floor mats. Japan which is the auto manufacturers’ home market has had no such recalls and obliviously the reaction is hushed.

The same models of Toyota Motor Corp. which has been called back in the U.S., Europe and China are on the roads of Japan as well. But since they use different supplier of parts and hence they are out of trouble with reference to defective gas pedals.

Naeko Kawamata, a salesgirl at a Tokyo Toyota trader stated on Saturday that; “Some of our customers express sympathy about Toyota’s overseas problems. But we aren’t getting queries on recalls.”

Tokyo’s Waseda University business and economics professor Hideaki Miyajima said that, “Toyota appears to be trying to respond with care. Toyota has grown to where it is now by sticking to safety standards. If it can overcome this problem, it can even make the experience a plus for its future.”

Some of the Japanese experts are hopeful the effect from the U.S. sufferings will pass off in a few months. This will happen only till Toyota reacts comparatively speedily to mend the trouble. They also feel that this crisis has surfaced only because the auto manufacturer spread out too rapidly over the last number of years, making it hard to copy the “Toyota Way,” recognized for faultless quality checks, outside Japan.

Source: Examiner