US chides Toyota over recall as carmaker defends reputation
Thursday, 4 February 2010
WASHINGTON, Feb (AFP): Toyota came under fire from a top US official for its handling of a massive recall Tuesday as the giant Japanese carmaker scrambled to reassure customers on safety.
US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Toyota's recall of millions of vehicles with defective pedals that can get stuck and cause unwanted acceleration came only after pressure from the US government.
"Since questions were first raised about possible safety defects, we have been pushing Toyota to take measures to protect consumers," LaHood said in a statement.
"While Toyota is taking responsible action now, it unfortunately took an enormous effort to get to this point."
Safety regulators are "considering a civil penalty against Toyota," an official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Toyota said Monday it had not been forced into the voluntary mass recalls, insisting the decision to stop US sales and production of eight affected models was "entirely ours."
A spokesman for Toyota's US operations acknowledged Tuesday that it had discussed the matter with LaHood and was "grateful for his advice."
US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Toyota's recall of millions of vehicles with defective pedals that can get stuck and cause unwanted acceleration came only after pressure from the US government.
"Since questions were first raised about possible safety defects, we have been pushing Toyota to take measures to protect consumers," LaHood said in a statement.
"While Toyota is taking responsible action now, it unfortunately took an enormous effort to get to this point."
Safety regulators are "considering a civil penalty against Toyota," an official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Toyota said Monday it had not been forced into the voluntary mass recalls, insisting the decision to stop US sales and production of eight affected models was "entirely ours."
A spokesman for Toyota's US operations acknowledged Tuesday that it had discussed the matter with LaHood and was "grateful for his advice."