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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
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 RUNAWAY CARS 
13

Feds: Toyota Statement on Accidents 'Misleading'

Matter isn't closed, says NHTSA

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(Newser) – Federal safety officials have criticized Toyota for trying to play down mechanical concerns over their "runaway cars.” Though victims and media reports have suggested that computer malfunctions or pedal design flaws are to blame in several incidents in which cars uncontrollably accelerated, Toyota says oversize floor mats are the only cause. The NHTSA called a company statement on the matter “inaccurate and misleading."

"This matter is not closed until Toyota has effectively addressed the defect by providing a suitable vehicle-based solution," said an NHTSA statement in what the LA Times described as an unusual public rebuke. "This is particularly public at a particularly difficult time for Toyota," says an automotive industry consultant. "Toyota was trying to say it has a clean bill of health from NHTSA, when it does not."

In this Aug. 4, 2009, photo, a friend peers in the window as Winny and Lap Chan prepare to drive away in their brand new Scion from a Toyota dealership in New York.
In this Aug. 4, 2009, photo, a friend peers in the window as Winny and Lap Chan prepare to drive away in their brand new Scion from a Toyota dealership in New York.   (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Toyota Motor Corp. Executive Vice President Yoichiro Ichimaru speaks during a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009.
Toyota Motor Corp. Executive Vice President Yoichiro Ichimaru speaks during a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
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13 comments
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lthurman
Nov 5, 09 2:53 PM CST
Gee, no comments about great Japanese quality from all you toyota owners? Keep buying foreign products and when you have put enough Americans out of work, who will buy your product? You should do a little research on how the Japanese gov. treats our exports to them. I know, it's great that they build plants here, but only after they with their gov.'s help have undercut prices and shut down Amer. businesses. Reply
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-1
IN RESPONSE:
Corona_Kinq
Nov 5, 09 3:16 PM CST
If American car companies made cars the majority of people would buy, then there would be no problem and they'd be number 1. How is that so hard to understand? If you can't cut in the American car business get a new career. Let's keep buying covered wagons with wooden wheels or the people who craft them will be out of work. Sorry, I'm gonna buy whatever the fuck I want to buy. Build a product people like, they'll buy it.
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+6
IN RESPONSE:
Spudsy
Nov 5, 09 9:28 PM CST
Uh lthuman? We just bailed out GM, a company that SHOULD be out of business, and you are going to complain about Japan subsidizing Toyota?
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
IN RESPONSE:
Reader64481089
Nov 5, 09 9:51 PM CST
I remember well a time when Ford had a vehicle that you put it in park and it put itself in drive and ran through buildings, people, whatever might be in front of it. I do not own a Toyota but I am very sure they will fix the problem, a shame people had to be injured or worse before the problem was addressed but the same goes for all auto makers, they all hide issues big and small until they are boxed in a corner so Toyota isn't the first nor the last to try to hide the facts.
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0
lthurman
Nov 5, 09 2:54 PM CST
Gee, no comments about great Japanese quality from all you toyota owners? Keep buying foreign products and when you have put enough Americans out of work, who will buy your product? You should do a little research on how the Japanese gov. treats our exports to them. I know, it's great that they build plants here, but only after they with their gov.'s help have undercut prices and shut down Amer. businesses. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-1

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