Toyota Motor Co. has repaired around 500,000 of the 2.3 million vehicles of their more recent recall over a sticky gas pedal causing unintended acceleration. Last fall, Toyota recalled millions of vehicles for floor mats that can pin down a car's gas pedal. Sales sank last month after the company stopped selling eight of its most popular models to fix a separate defect that can make the gas pedal stick. But surprisingly enough, general manager of the U.S. division, Bob Carter said Toyota doesn't appear to be losing any market share this month due to the recall.
But the U.S. sales chief James Lentz, today said the massive recall may "not totally" solve frightening problems of sudden, unintended acceleration. And that the changes Toyota is making probably aren't the end of the story.
House members listened to Lentz today and to a woman's near death experience when her vehicle surged to 100 MPH. The government has received complaints of 34 deaths linked to sudden acceleration of Toyota vehicles since 2000.
Toyota president Akio Toyoda is prepared to confront angry U.S. lawmakers tomorrow. "I will do everything in my power to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again," Toyoda will tell the House Government Oversight Committee. "My name is on every car. You have my personal commitment that Toyota will work vigorously and unceasingly to restore the trust of our customers."
Toyota plans to win back consumer confidence once repairs have been completed. Carter declined to unveil the possiblities, but dealers have admitted to a potential new incentive program or enhanced warranty protection.
