Toyota resumed production in eight North American plants yesterday after a full week stand still. Toyota claims to have enough replacement pedals to resume production after they had shut down production plants in Canada, Indiana, Kentucky, and Texas making a detrimental chip in production as well as sales. January 21st Toyota had recalled 2.3 million vehicles and stop the production of eight models accounting for almost 60% of their sales before the pedal recall.
According to Toyota spokesman Mike Michels the company has enough replacement pedals to resume production of vehicles this week.
There are sufficient repair parts for customer cars, as well as a reserve of pedals from last week’s stoppage, that we can begin production
– Mike Michels, Toyota Spokesman
The Toyota recall models include 2009 – 2010: RAV4, Corolla, and Matrix; 2005 – 2010 Avalon; some 2007 – 2010 Camrys; the 2007 – 2010 Tundra; and the 2008 – 2010 Sequ0ia. Toyota dealerships worked constantly last week to fix the sticky-pedal problem, some accommodating customers around the clock. New models will be sold on a car by car basis, only selling vehicles where the pedal has been replaced. The wide spread knowledge of Toyota’s recall will undoubtedly leave the manufacturer’s reputation anything but intact.
As wonderful as the news is the company will be replacing and fixing all recalled models, the recall itself may not be over just yet. A potential recall in the U.S. and Japan for the 2010 third generation Prius hybrid may still be on the table. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claimed to have received 124 complaints about the vehicle including reports of four different accidents. Toyota adjusted software in the Prius braking system last month to resolve breaking issues, however hasn’t said how it will address current vehicles. The United States and Japan will be investigating the vehicle’s safety and if necessary Toyota will issue a Prius recall.