Toyota considers expanding massive recall over gas pedals to Europe+

NAGOYA, Jan. 25 Kyodo -
Toyota Motor Corp. is considering recalling about 2 million vehicles in Europe,
following a similar move in the United States to repair potentially defective
accelerator pedals, sources familiar with the matter said Monday.
Last week, the Japanese auto giant issued a safety recall of about 2.3 million
vehicles, including Corolla and Camry models, with U.S. authorities, citing
instances where gas pedals can get stuck in a partially depressed position.
The sources said the same parts of the accelerator pedals produced by U.S.
manufacturers, which were subject to the recent recall, are also used in
vehicles sold in Europe.
Toyota officials are currently in talks with authorities in each country since
regulations over recalls vary, but the automaker may issue a voluntary recall
even if the situation does not warrant a mandatory recall.
''We cannot announce the model types or the number of vehicles to be recalled
until negotiations with authorities are completed,'' a Toyota spokesperson
said.
Officials have said similar problems will not occur in Japan since different
parts are used, but investigations are being carried out in other parts of Asia
like China.
The recall in the United States came just months after the Japanese automaker
recalled about 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles -- its largest-ever
measure -- to reduce the risk of gas pedals getting stuck under unsecured or
improperly placed floor mats and causing sudden acceleration.
==Kyodo
2010-01-25 23:08:29