Toyota problems may delay launch of new models in europe
Toyota problems may delay launch of new models in europe
Geneva is the first major public automotive event since Toyota was forced to recall 8.5m vehicles around the world, including 1.7m in Europe and 180,000 in the UK.
the forthcoming Auris, Auris HSD and Rav4 models, all due for launch in Europe in the first half of this year, will undergo stringent quality testing ahead as part of Toyota’s strict new quality control guidelines, introduced in the wake of its well publicised sticking accelerator pedal faults.
Speaking in an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Tadashi Arashima, the chief executive of Toyota Motor Europe, said: “We are discussing that, if necessary, we will postpone the launch timing. For us there is the hybrid in late May, which is really key. We want to make sure that this car is properly launched without any major issues.”
As part of its new quality control systems, Toyota has appointed a chief quality officer for each region where it sells its cars. These officers will report directly to Toyota boss Akio Toyoda and the first meeting is planned for 30 March.
Other plans include the fitting of an aeroplane-style black box recorder to record any malfunctions and a brake override system, which will cut engine power when the accelerator and brake pedals are applied at the same time.
Toyota was forced to recall 8.5m cars earlier this year, including 180,000 in the UK, because of braking problems with the Prius hybrid and concerns about sticky accelerator pedals on a collection of other models, including all Auris cars made between October 2006 and December 2009.
Mr Arashima also cautioned in the interview that the company is “carefully assessing” the production volumes it will require in the UK this year. Burnaston is to shut down for an extra week over Easter and, amid a fragile economy, there are fears of further halts in production.
The Toyota Europe boss said it was his “desire” to avoid further shutdowns.
“Our feeling at this moment is that the fundamental economic strength [in Europe] is not there. Also some countries, like Spain, are going to increase VAT from July 1 this year and many countries are in financial trouble and they have to do something. I think this year’s market will be definitely lower than last year.”
source Telegraph
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