Toyota East Africa allays fears over massive recall

By Morris Aron

Toyota East Africa is dispelling fears over the on-going recall of some of its models in the international markets, due to a technical hitch in the braking system, saying that the move has not affected its vehicles in the region.

Speaking to journalists at his office, Hylton Bannon, the managing director of Toyota EA, said that customers need not worry as the ongoing recalls has not affected vehicles manufactured in Japan and South Africa, the origin of its vehicle imports for the region.

"In the event that any of our products are affected, we will contact our customers personally, and ensure that the issues are corrected at the earliest opportunity," he said.

Toyota recently issued a recall of almost 2.3 million late model cars, SUVs and pickup trucks after acknowledging that there were mechanical issues with the accelerator pedal.

The automaker had previously recalled about 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles in the US to reduce the risk of pedal "entrapment", caused by floor mats, after acknowledging that the problem was bigger than earlier thought.

Mechanical Issue

The mechanical issue ‘that has mainly affected vehicles in the US’ includes the sticking accelerator pedal mechanisms in certain vehicles the presence of floor mats. In other instances, the accelerator pedal stick in a partially depressed position, or return slowly to the idle position.

The development has raised concern over the safety of vehicles by Toyota, long known as an established manufacturer.

Bannon however said that none of the problems had been reported from locally, or at Toyota Motor Corporation Japan where most of the vehicle imports originate.

"We are yet to and do not expect to have any problems locally," Bannon said.

The mechanical issue ‘that has mainly affected vehicles in the US’ includes the sticking accelerator pedal mechanisms in certain vehicles the presence of floor mats. In other instances, the accelerator pedal stick in a partially depressed position, or return slowly to the idle position.

The development has raised concern over the safety of vehicles by Toyota, long known as an established manufacturer.

Bannon however said that none of the problems had been reported from locally, or at Toyota Motor Corporation Japan where most of the vehicle imports originate.

"We are yet to and do not expect to have any problems locally," Bannon said.