Tuesday
Feb232010
Recall May Not Completely Fix Dangers, Concedes Toyota Sales President
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 3:47PM
By Benny Martinez - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service
Toyota President and Chief Operating Officer James Lentz told the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on Tuesday that he cannot confirm that recent unintended acceleration problems will be fixed through the recall of floor mats and ‘sticky’ gas pedals.
In his statement, Lentz said that Toyota is confident that by fixing these two problems, “Toyota vehicles will be among the safest on the road today.” However, when asked if problems with unintended acceleration were caused solely by these two mechanical malfunctions, Lentz said he could not be positive that was the case.
Questions arose about prospective problems with Toyota’s electronic throttle system during the committee hearing after the testimony of Rhonda and Eddie Smith, Toyota owners whose vehicle experienced unintended acceleration.
In her testimony, Mrs. Smith, on the verge of tears, said that she “feared for her life” as her vehicle sped at 100 miles per hour down a Tennessee highway. The Smiths said they didn’t know specifically what caused their Lexus ES 350 to unintentionally speed up, but added that there was no chance it was the result of misplaced floor mats or ‘sticky’ gas pedals.
“We acknowledge these mistakes,” Lentz said. “We apologize for them and we have learned from them.”
In addition to the floor mat and ‘sticky’ gas pedal recall, Lentz said that Toyota will be installing an advanced brake override system in all of their new models, along with six models that have been recalled in efforts to reacquire the trust of consumers.
“These actions underscore that Toyota is going above and beyond... to ensure that our customers can be completely confident in the safety and reliability of the cars and trucks they drive.”
Toyota President and Chief Operating Officer James Lentz told the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on Tuesday that he cannot confirm that recent unintended acceleration problems will be fixed through the recall of floor mats and ‘sticky’ gas pedals.
In his statement, Lentz said that Toyota is confident that by fixing these two problems, “Toyota vehicles will be among the safest on the road today.” However, when asked if problems with unintended acceleration were caused solely by these two mechanical malfunctions, Lentz said he could not be positive that was the case.
Questions arose about prospective problems with Toyota’s electronic throttle system during the committee hearing after the testimony of Rhonda and Eddie Smith, Toyota owners whose vehicle experienced unintended acceleration.
In her testimony, Mrs. Smith, on the verge of tears, said that she “feared for her life” as her vehicle sped at 100 miles per hour down a Tennessee highway. The Smiths said they didn’t know specifically what caused their Lexus ES 350 to unintentionally speed up, but added that there was no chance it was the result of misplaced floor mats or ‘sticky’ gas pedals.
“We acknowledge these mistakes,” Lentz said. “We apologize for them and we have learned from them.”
In addition to the floor mat and ‘sticky’ gas pedal recall, Lentz said that Toyota will be installing an advanced brake override system in all of their new models, along with six models that have been recalled in efforts to reacquire the trust of consumers.
“These actions underscore that Toyota is going above and beyond... to ensure that our customers can be completely confident in the safety and reliability of the cars and trucks they drive.”
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