Toyota Announces Details on Recalled European Models, Says up to 1.8 Million Vehicles May Be Affected by Sticky Accelerator

Less than 24 hours after Toyota Motor Europe announced that it would be investigating potential accelerator pedal issues on its European models, the Japanese automaker released details on the affected vehicles. The recall involves a total of eight models. These are listed below:

-AYGO (Feb 2005 – Aug 2009)
-iQ (Nov 2008 – Nov 2009)
-Yaris (Nov 2005 – Sep 2009)
-Auris (Oct 2006 – 5 Jan 2010)
-Corolla (Oct 2006 – Dec 2009)
-Verso (Feb 2009 – 5 Jan 2010)
-Avensis (Nov 2008 – Dec 2009)
-RAV4 (Nov 2005 – Nov 2009)

The company said that precise number of involved units is still under investigation, but may reach up to a total of 1.8 million vehicles in the Old Continent, adding that no Lexus or other Toyota models are affected by the recall to solve a potential accelerator pedal issue.

"Toyota's policy is to put its customers first, in all circumstances", said Tadashi Arashima, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

"We understand that the current situation is creating concerns, and we deeply regret it. We would also like to reassure customers: the potential accelerator pedal issue only occurs in very rare circumstances. The announced action is a preventive measure aimed to guarantee the highest safety standards to all customers."

According to Toyota, there is a chance that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms on the affected models may, in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position

Toyota said that the issue is caused because the accelerator pedal mechanisms concerned may become worn.

The Japanese automaker added that only a limited number of incidents have been reported in Europe, and that the company is not aware of any accident resulting from this issue.

Earlier this week, Toyota suspended sales of eight vehicles in the U.S. due to the sticky accelerator problem while the firm also added another 1.1 million vehicles to last fall's recall of 4.3 million vehicles in the USA.

Toyota Launches New Verso MPV 2.2 D-CAT 150 with Automatic Transmission

The new Toyota Verso MPV range in the UK has been updated with the introduction of a 2.2 D-CAT 150 diesel engine coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission that was also recently launched on the Avensis. The 2.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel unit produces an output of 150 horsepower at 3,600rpm and maximum torque of 340Nm available from 2,000rpm. Acceleration from rest to 62mph comes in 10.1 seconds, official combined cycle fuel economy is 41.5mpg UK (34.6 mpg US or 6.8 lt / 100km) and CO2 emissions are 178g/km.

The seven-seater MPV with the 2.2 D-CAT 150 is available in the UK in Verso TR and T Spirit grades with both versions fitted as standard with 17-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels. Prices have been set at £20,835 for the TR, £22,265 for the T Spirit.

Toyota Builds One Millionth Vehicle in Turkey

Toyota announced today that cumulative production at its manufacturing plant in Turkey reached one-million vehicles. The milestone that coincides with the start of production of Toyota's third generation Verso MPV, at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey (TMMT), comes 15 years after the plant produced its first car in 1994. The plant today employs some 3,000 workers and includes the production of the Auris, as well as Verso, in its production portfolio.

The Japanese firm's Turkish plant will support a full-year European sales target of 55,000 units of the new Verso that will go on sale this April.

Speaking ahead of the celebrative event, Hiroyuki Ochiai, Executive Vice-President of TME said: "Toyota's operations in Europe have benefited from an extremely rewarding partnership with Turkey. Thanks to the commitment of a highly-skilled local workforce, Toyota is now one of Turkey's biggest automotive exporters. This is a great achievement, and particularly significant in light of current, tough market conditions."

Geneva Show: New Toyota Verso 7-Seater MPV fully Revealed

The third-generation model of Toyota's compact people-carrier, the Verso, was officially unveiled in Geneva. Even though you may easily mistake the 7-seater MPV for the outgoing model due to Toyota's ultra conservative evolutionary approach, the new Verso is 70mm longer and 20mm wider than its predecessor. The completely redesigned interior that now features a centrally located instrument panel comes with more space and an improved Easy Flat-7 folding system for the five rear seats that is easier to operate.

When the new Verso goes on sale across Europe this spring, it will be offered with a five-engine lineup that includes three diesel units, the 126HP 2.0-liter D-4D and 150HP and 177HP versions of the 2.2-liter D-4D, and two petrol units, the 132HP 1.6-liter and 145HP 1.8-liter Valvematic engines.

Early Reveal for New Toyota Verso Seven-Seater MPV

It may take you a minute or two to notice it, but what you are looking at is the new generation Toyota Verso minivan that will make its world debut in Geneva next week. With the exception of the Avensis-inspired front-end, the Verso MPV's styling is extremely evolutionary, to the point that we had to cross check the photo with the current model. Underneath the skin, Toyota's compact-sized minivan that will take on the likes of the VW Touran and Renault Scenic, continues to offer seating for seven arranged in three rows of seats.

Despite the styling similarities, the new Verso has actually grown in dimensions being 70mm longer and 20mm wider than the outgoing model. The engine range will include Toyota's latest 1.6- and 1.8-liter Valvematic petrol units with outputs of 132HP and 145HP respectively as well as two diesel options, the 126-horsepower 2.0-liter D-4D and the 177HP 2.2-liter D-CAT 180. Sales are expected to start in Europe this spring.

Via: Worldcarfans