Toyota begins nationwide repairs for latest Prius models

TOKYO, Feb. 10 Kyodo -
Toyota Motor Corp. on Wednesday began fixing brake problems in the latest model
of its Prius hybrid at dealers across Japan, as Tokyo sought to allay via
diplomatic channels Washington's concerns over safety plaguing the world's
largest automaker.
The nationwide fix began a day after the world's largest automaker announced a
recall of about 437,000 vehicles worldwide to repair brake problems in its
best-selling Prius and three other hybrid models.
According to Toyota, vehicles can be fixed at dealers by having the software
for their antilock brake system replaced. The process takes about 10 minutes,
but the overall fix, which includes an inspection, will take about 40 minutes.
Dealers have been notifying Prius owners by phone or direct mail since Tuesday
afternoon.
The automaker plans to begin its fix for the three other models subject to the
recall including the luxury Lexus HS250h and the hybrid-only Sai compact sedan
once preparations have been made.
Toyota plans to suspend the production of the Lexus HS250h and the Sai sedan
from Saturday through Feb. 20 as sales of these vehicles have been temporarily
halted due to a delay in fixing the problems, Toyota officials said.
In principle, car owners should have their vehicles fixed at the dealers which
sent the notices, but cars can still be fixed at different dealers if, for
instance, owners have changed their residence, Toyota said.
Anticipating a rush, the automaker is asking owners to notify dealers before
bringing in their cars.
Toyota plans to finish more than 90 percent of its repairs within three months.
In a fresh blow to the Japanese auto industry, another Japanese car giant,
Honda Motor Co., said Wednesday it will recall a total of 437,763 cars in the
world over a problem with the driver's airbag inflator.
Amid fears that the Toyota issue may snowball into a diplomatic issue,
transport minister Seiji Maehara met with U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos on
Wednesday afternoon to confirm that bilateral ties remain unaffected by
Toyota's recalls, while Maehara told Roos that Toyota President Akio Toyoda is
expected to visit the United States as early as next week.
Speaking to reporters after their meeting in Tokyo, Roos said, ''I just want to
emphasize this in no way has any kind of direct or indirect impact on the
strength of the bilateral relationship between the United States and Japan
which goes without saying is incredibly strong.''
Toyota, which has long prided itself on a reputation for quality, has been hit
by strong U.S. criticism of Toyota's seemingly slow handling of the safety
problems.
Maehara told reporters after the meeting that Toyota ''needs to fully explain''
the recalls to various people, and that ''if asked by the U.S. Congress, I
would like (Mr. Toyoda) to explain with all sincerity'' the recall problems.
He said that Roos told him that despite harsh opinions of Toyota in the United
States, Toyota, given that it still has a strongly established reputation in
the United States, can maintain such a reputation if it firmly fulfills its
duty to explain and address the safety problems.
Maehara, minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism, also said
that both he and Roos were convinced that it would not be good for their
national interests if the Toyota issue strains Japan-U.S. ties.
Following the recall issue, Toyota has refused to receive a government award
given to the carmaker's latest model of the Prius hybrid for its fuel
efficiency.
Toyota's recall in Japan involves 223,068 vehicles of the four models and
addresses a glitch in the vehicles' antilock brake system, which causes a
momentary lag in brake functions when driving slowly on bumpy or slippery
roads.
==Kyodo