Citing concerns expressed about a defect in vehicle acceleration, Japanese auto maker Toyota has announced the recall of millions of vehicles in the United States and other parts of the world but it does not affect the Caribbean, according to local distributor, BAL.
According to Reuters, the world’s largest car maker announced yesterday that it has recalled some 1.1 million vehicles in addition to 4.2 million which were first recalled in November last year for a fault relating to the gas pedal of the vehicle causing the vehicle to accelerate uncontrollably.
Last week the car manufacturer announced the recall of some 2.3 million in the US involving the vehicle accelerator sticking on its own, that number is being expanded to include an undisclosed number of vehicles in Europe. Some 75,000 RAV4 models, manufactured between March 2009 and January 25 which are on the Chinese market are also expected to be recalled, according to Reuters, and that recall is expected to go into effect from February 28.
The global recall affects several models, which includes the 2008-2010 Highlander,’09-2010 Corolla,’09-2010 Venza, ‘09-2010 Matrix ,’09-2010 Pontiac Vibe (produced in a partnership with General Motors),’07-2010 Camry,’05-2010 Avalon,’ 04-2010 Prius, 2010 Tacoma,’07-2010 Tundra and the ES350,IS350 and IS250 versions of the 2007-2010 Lexus. The vehicles fall into both categories where the faults are concerned.
Suresh Rampersaud, General Manager of Beharry Automotive Limited (BAL), the authorized distributor of original Toyota vehicles in Guyana told Stabroek News yesterday that as far as he is aware the recall only affects a specific batch of vehicles on the Canadian, the US and European markets.
He said this information was based on billing records.
While noting that BAL has received inquiries on whether the company’s vehicles are affected by the recall, Rampersaud said that BAL recently contacted the Toyota office and was informed that until the auto company identifies vehicles shipped to the Caribbean which may be affected by the recall, the Guyana market remains in the clear.