S. Korea investigates possible defects in Toyota vehicles: transport ministry

SEOUL, Jan. 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea said Friday that it has launched a probe
into possible defects in vehicles produced by Japanese automaker Toyota Motor
Corp. amid an expanding recall in the American market due to defective parts.

The Japanese carmaker recently announced that it will recall 2.3 million vehicles
in the U.S. and could recall 2 million vehicles in Europe due to potential
problems with accelerators that could cause safety issues.
"We have commissioned a vehicle research institute to conduct the investigation
into whether parts of the accelerator in Toyota's vehicles (sold in the Korean
market) function properly," a ministry official said. He did not elaborate on
details including when the results would be released.
In statements offered to the South Korean government, Toyota said that the parts
manufactured in the U.S. are different from those produced in Japan, dismissing
fears that similar defects could be found in cars sold in the Korean market.
Despite the explanation, the transport ministry said it has decided to go ahead
with the probe to ensure the safety of vehicles purchased by local consumers and
will also determine whether to recall the Japanese automaker's cars in accordance
with the results of the investigation.
A recall here would deal a blow to Toyota, which has already been grappling with
falling sales in the Korean market, experts say.
Hit by the Japanese currency's ascent and stiff competition among foreign brands
in South Korea, sales of Toyota's Lexus model slipped 16.7 percent to 5,053 units
in 2009, according to industry data.
In December alone, sales in South Korea of Toyota models, excluding Lexus,
dropped 20.5 percent from the month before to 660 units.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)

Delete & Prev | Delete & Next