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Friday, January 29, 2010

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

1. What is the condition that has prompted Toyota to take this action?
In rare instances, there is a possibility that CTS accelerator pedal mechanisms may
mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position.
2. What is the likelihood that my vehicle will experience this condition?The condition is rare and generally does not occur suddenly. It seems to occur when the pedal mechanism becomes worn and, in certain conditions, the accelerator pedal may become harder to depress, slower to return or, in the worst case, stuck in a partially depressed position.
3. Are you continuing to investigate other models?Toyota is confident that all models that contain the potentially sticking pedals have
been identified.
4. Why has Toyota stopped selling the affected vehicles?Until Toyota has remedied the potential for sticking accelerator pedals, a sales
suspension of vehicles with the CTS pedals is required by Federal law .
5. How long will this stop sale be in effect?This stop sales/delivery action will only be in place until Toyota is able to provide
service repair parts and instructions to dealers so that they can remedy their involved vehicles. Involved vehicles may be made available for retail sale as soon as they are repaired, as long as the vehicle also meets the requirements of recall 90L if applicable.
6. When do you expect to have a remedy?
We believe that a remedy may be announced as early as next week and that the
necessary parts and instructions will become available later in the month of February.
7. What options are you exploring for a remedy?We are reviewing a number of different options, but are aiming for a simple repair
which does not require disassembly of the accelerator pedal unit.
8. What should I do if I believe my vehicle is affected by this condition, i.e. I have noticed that my accelerator pedal is hard to depress, slow to return or is not smooth during operation. What should I do?You should bring the vehicle to a stop at the nearest safe location and shut off the engine. Then contact any Toyota dealer for assistance.
9. What if you experience a sticking accelerator pedal while driving?Each circumstance may vary, and drivers must use their best judgment, but Toyota recommends taking one of the following actions:
• If you need to stop immediately, the vehicle can be controlled by stepping on the
brake pedal with both feet using firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brake
pedal as it will deplete the vacuum utilized for the power brake assist.
• Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine.
• If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost.
• If the vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop button, firmly and steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine. Do NOT tap the Engine Start/Stop button.
• If the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key-ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position to turn off the engine. Do NOT remove the key from the ignition as this will lock the steering wheel.
10. If I am an owner of one of the affected vehicles, what action do I need to take?
Toyota is working quickly to develop a remedy for this potential condition and will issue owner notifications in the future. No action is required at this time unless you feel you are experiencing this condition. If you are experiencing this condition, immediately
contact your nearest Toyota Dealer for assistance.
11. Toyota stated that this did not affect new/low mileage vehicles, has the situation changed?Generally that seems to be the case; however, the law requires that the entire universe of new vehicles identified in our recall notice must be included in the stop sale.
12. Why are you stopping production at your factories?Beginning on February 1, 2010 production is being temporarily suspended at five North
American production facilities to assess and coordinate activities related to the recall announced on January 21. This also allows us to expedite customer repairs by
diverting parts, originally slated for production vehicles, to dealerships for their use in remedying this condition in customer vehicles.
13. What should I do if I still have questions or concerns?
If you still have questions or concerns that have not been addressed here, please
contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
The Toyota Customer Experience Center hours are:
Mon - Fri, 5:00 am - 6:00 pm PST
Sat, 7:00 am - 4:00 pm PST

1.29.2010 Toyota Update

Toyota Update Regarding Recalls


Nothing is more important to Toyota than doing the right thing for our customers -- and restoring their confidence in the safety of our vehicles. We deeply regret the concern that our recalls are causing for our loyal customers, and we are making an all-out effort to develop and implement effective remedies as quickly as we can.

Our highest priority is to fix the accelerator pedal problems for our existing customers. We want to reassure Toyota owners that instances of sticking pedals are rare and generally do not occur suddenly. Toyota is currently in the process of recalling vehicles to remedy the issue of pedal entrapment and we have begun sending instructions to customers about how we will fix their vehicles. Customers who have any questions or have experienced any issues with their accelerator pedals should visit Toyota.com, contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331, or call their local Toyota dealer.

We’ve identified the cause of the problem and are focusing all of our energy and resources on developing and thoroughly testing remedies. Our engineers have been working around the clock and we’ve been in direct communication with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) throughout this process. We also appreciate the opportunity to inform the House Committee on Energy and Commerce about our efforts to address this situation for our customers and we pledge our full cooperation with the Committee.

Toyota has taken the unprecedented step of stopping production to help serve our customers quickly and ensure that all new Toyota vehicles going forward do not experience this problem. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (TEMA) has also been working closely with our pedal supplier CTS on a revised design that effectively remedies the problem. These pedals are now in full production at CTS to support Toyota’s needs. At the same time, we continue to work with CTS to test effective pedal modifications for existing vehicles on the road that will be available to our customers as quickly as possible.

We appreciate the comments that Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood made today about the way Toyota has stepped up to meet our responsibilities to our customers, and we are determined to continue fulfilling our commitment to put our customers first.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Toyota's pedal supplier says it has a fix, is ramping up output

Click here to read today's article on AutoNews.com

1.27.2010 Toyota Floor Mat Recall

Toyota announced it will initiate a Safety Recall for potential floor mat interference with the accelerator pedal.
The condition involves the potential for an unsecured or incompatible
driver's floor mat to interfere with the accelerator pedal and cause it
to get stuck in the wide open position. Toyota has determined that this
defect does not exist in vehicles in which the driver side floor mat is
compatible with the vehicle and properly secured.

On January 27, 2010, Toyota amended the Defect Information Report (DIR)
filed with the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) to
include the following vehicles:

Toyota (DIR Update)
------------------------
2009 - 2010 Corolla
2009 - 2010 Matrix
2009 - 2010 Venza
2008 - 2010 Highlander

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Toyota Vehicles Not Affected by the Accelerator Pedal Recall

No Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are affected by these actions.
Also not affected are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris,
4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser and select Camry models, including all
Camry hybrids, which will remain for sale. And here is the rest of it.

Update

Yesterday we posted a copy of the Toyota press release regarding the stop sale and delivery announcement. Attached is the TMS Dealership notification letter that provides greater detail on specifically which vehicles cannot be delivered until they have been remedied.



To be clear, North American vehicles equipped with accelerator pedals manufactured by CTS are the only vehicles included in the stop sale and delivery.



All vehicles equipped with Denso produced gas pedal assemblies can be sold regardless of where they were produced.



It is important to note that the North American Camry is the only series that was produced with both CTS and Denso accelerator pedals and therefore needs to be inspected to determine if they are equipped with Denso pedals prior to being sold.



Below is a list of new vehicles that are unaffected by the announcement and can be sold:



a.. Yaris
b.. Prius
c.. Japan built Corolla
d.. Japan built Camry
e.. Camry with VINs that begin with "4T1" AND are equipped with Denso accelerator pedals
f.. Scion
g.. Venza
h.. FJ Cruiser
i.. Japan built Highlander
j.. Japan built RAV4
k.. Land Cruiser
l.. Sienna
m.. 4Runner
n.. Tacoma


Below is a list of new and used vehicles that cannot be delivered:



Avalon
VINs beginning with "4T1"
MY 2005 - 2010

Matrix
VINs beginning with "2T1"
MY 2009 - 2010

Tundra
VINS beginning with "5TB"
MY 2007 - 2008

Tundra
VINS beginning with "5TF
MY 2007- 2010

Sequoia
VINS beginning with "5TD"
MY 2008 - 2010

Camry
VINS beginning with "4T4"
MY 2007- 2010

Camry
VINS beginning with "4T1" with CTS accelerator pedal
MY 2007- 2010

Corolla
VINs beginning with "1NX" and "2T1"
MY 2009 - 2010

Highlander
VINs beginning with "5TD"
MY 2010

RAV4
VINs beginning with "2T3"
MY 2009 - 2010




Determining whether the Camry is equipped with a CTS or Denso accelerator pedal can be done with a visual inspection without removing the pedal. Denso pedals are constructed of all black plastic versus the CTS pedal which is made of metal. The CTS pedals have shiny metallic components on both sides at the top of the arm which are clearly visible from the footwell.

At this time , this is all we know from Southeastern Toyota. We will continue to update you as we receive more information.


Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Toyota Recall

Because we value our customers, we know that the more transparent we are, the more likely we will be to earn your trust. For this reason we feel it is appropriate to share the information we have about the recent recall. We will continue to update our blog with new information as we recieve it. In recent months, Toyota has investigated isolated reports of sticking accelerator pedal mechanisms in certain vehicles without the presence of floor mats. The investigation indicates that there is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may, in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position. Consistent with Toyota's commitment to the safety of Toyota cars and Toyota customers, Toyota has initiated this voluntary recall action.

Toyota’s accelerator pedal recall is confined to the following Toyota Division vehicles:

2009-2010 RAV4,
2009-2010 Corolla,
2009-2010 Matrix,
2005-2010 Avalon,
2007-2010 Camry,
2010 Highlander,
2007-2010 Tundra
2008-2010 Sequoia

No Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are affected by this recall action. Also not affected are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser and select Camry models, including all Camry hybrids.

The condition is rare, but can occur when the pedal mechanism becomes worn and, in certain conditions, the accelerator pedal may become harder to depress, slower to return or, in the worst case, stuck in a partially depressed position. Toyota is working quickly to prepare the correction remedy.

While incidents are rare, Toyota takes the safety of its customers very seriously and is working quickly to prepare the correction remedy.

In the unlikely event that a driver experiences an accelerator pedal that sticks in a partial open throttle position or returns slowly to idle position, the vehicle can be controlled with firm and steady application of the brakes. The brakes should not be pumped repeatedly because it could deplete vacuum assist, requiring stronger brake pedal pressure. The vehicle should be driven to the nearest safe location, the engine shut off and a Toyota dealer contacted for assistance.

Toyota will continue to investigate incidents of unwanted acceleration and take appropriate measures to address any trends that are identified.

Toyota owners who have questions or concerns should contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. .

Friday, January 22, 2010

Scionfest January 31, 2010



Scion Car Show Indoors at The Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, NC
January 31, 2010 10am- 4pm
Spectator admission $15 (10 and under free)
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Shriner's Hospital in Greenville, SC
This entry fee will also get you in the Autofest & Motorcycle Shows also being hosted in the Coliseum the same day. For more information please visit the K and L Motorsports Shriner's Scionfest page.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Drive a Toyota Truck, Fish & Get Rewarded



As if you needed another reason to fish.....

Toyota’s Bonus Bucks Expands to Include Co-anglers and TBF members in 2010.
Bonus Bucks will now be available to co-anglers who drive Toyota Trucks and compete in sanctioned BASS and FLW events in 2010.

Program Overview:
The Bonus Bucks program is totally free and is available to anglers who tow with a 2007 or newer Tundra, Sequoia, 4Runner or Tacoma and fish in Bonus Bucks sanctioned events. Plus, you don’t have to win the tournament to win the Bonus Bucks; you simply have to be the highest finishing registered participant and finish in the top 50% of the field.


How the 2010 Bonus Bucks Contingency Program Works:
Drive a Toyota. Own or lease a 2007 or newer Toyota Tundra, Sequoia, Tacoma or 4Runner. Vehicle must be registered in your name individually or jointly.

Register. Complete the official registration form and return via email, fax or mail. Registration must be received and confirmed prior to fishing in your first contingency paying event. You will receive an email response once your registration has been approved. You must update your information every year prior to your first tournament or anytime there may be changes.

Fish. Participate in a contingency paying tournament, and post the highest placing finish of those who have registered for the program. Select Bassmaster and FLW events will pay the top two highest placing finishes. Highest finishes must fall within the top 50% of the field, with a minimum field size of no less than 30 boats. A list of sanctioned events and payouts are posted on this website.

Redeem. Submit the Official Contingency Claim Form within 30-days of your finish. Upon verification and approval your contingency payment will be sent via U.S. mail. Winners should allow at least 8 weeks for approval, processing and distribution.

Sign up now.
.

Central Carolina Boat and Fishing Expo



Come by and say hey! We are really looking forward to this weekend's Central Carolina Boat & Fishing Expo at the Greensboro Coliseum.

The Triad's Leading Marine Dealers will be showcasing 2010 & remaining 2009 product and will be offering Massive Discounts. The event that will offer something for everyone in your family. For 2010 it's all being brought under one roof for a One-Stop experience that will be unlike anything ever offered in the Triad. If your family's recreation time involves being in...on...or around the water... you don't want to miss this opportunity. A few special offerings this year will make this a family time to remember.

January 22 - 24, 2010

Greensboro Coliseum
Greensboro, NC

Hours:
Friday 10:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 9:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday 10:00am - 5:00pm

Admission good all 3 days
with return pass

Admission:
Adults $7
Seniors $6
Jr. Angler $5
Under 6 free w/Adult
.

Toyota shooting for 1 million hybrids by 2011

This article was on USA Today and we wanted to share.

Monday, January 11, 2010

The All New 2011 Toyota Sienna



The all new 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan will start arriving on our lot February 2010. The Sienna was designed by Toyota’s Calty Design Research and developed at Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., with assembly being accomplished at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana. The Toyota Sienna is well known as a transportation solution for moving people and cargo comfortably and efficiently. The third-generation Sienna will look and drive more like a sedan, conform to new ideas about personal comfort, easily accommodate cargo, and handle big loads.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Billabong Venza



Street Image built the Ultimate Venza by taking a 2009 Toyota Venza as the starting point. The exterior modification of the Ultimate Venza includes an aggressive custom body kit that includes a unique Toyota/Billabong exterior paint design, fender flares and alloy wheels. A custom roof rack was designed and installed to accommodate surf, snow and wake boards. The roof rack lowers to make it easier to load surf boards and also features a hidden cargo rack that extends from the rear bumper for skis and snow boards. Street Image also installed a front and rear hitch receiver and Grinch Winch to pull wake boarders into waves or snow boarders and skaters across flat land to a jump or rail. Finally, large Enkei wheels with Nitto tires and a Toyota Racing Development (TRD) big brake kit were added to provide superior traction and stopping power when driving off the beaten path or to the beach.



The interior of the Ultimate Venza utilizes genuine Billabong materials and construction. The seats are custom upholstered with wet suit materials and incorporate Billabong’s latest design scheme and colors. The headliner is an artistic color collage depicting Billabong athletes in action.

Additional Ultimate Venza interior modifications include “living” features that will allow the athletes to conduct many everyday endeavors while on the go or at competition sites. Among the “living” features located in the rear cargo area is a custom heated shower system with a 10 gallon capacity for rinsing off after surfing.

A Verizon Wireless access point router was installed, allowing the athletes to receive up-to-date surf or snow reports and other important information. The Ultimate Venza was installed with the latest audio and video equipment from Fujitsu Ten’s legendary Eclipse brand. The system features a multi-media DVD head unit, iPod interface, head rest-mounted LCD monitors, 18 speakers and 2,200 watts of power. Rear hatch-mounted speakers allow for enhanced sound quality when relaxing during a post-competition tailgate gathering.

The Toyota/Billabong Ultimate Venza Concept will be the official Billabong Team vehicle for use by surf, snow, skate and wake athletes. It will also be used in the Billabong Adventure Division to tow personal watercraft during wave excursions and will be the official Billabong tow vehicle for their wake team. The one-of-a-kind Venza will also be displayed at Billabong surf contests and camps from coast to coast.