CE 2/16

Nicolas McGarrahan Current events 2/16/10

Title of article-Toyota asked for recall evidence

Source- BBC
Date-Wednesday, 17th GMT 1:16
section-buisness
Who is involved-toyota, NHTSA, US auto consumers, other car manufactuers
summary of article- The National Highway Traffic Saftey Administration has begun investigations into wether the recalls have been handled properly, with regard to promptness and scope.
Toyota stated they will comply with all requests, such as documents showing how the company learned of the defects which have caused the recall of 8.5 million vechiles worldwide due to faulty accelerator pedals, floor mats, and weak breaks.
The recalls began on the 26th of January when toyota announced it was suspending sales and production of cars in the U.S.
Current federal law requires carmakers notifiy the NHTSA within five days of discovering a safety issue.
significance- The involvement of a federal agency with the recalls is an example of how our system of regulation works with regard to foreign products, and how the areas the executive branch covers and how it executes them
It also shows the level of seriousness that has built over concerns as to wheter Toyota is blame free in the handleing of the recalls, and whether they knew of the problems beforehand.
personal opinion-I think the number of recalls could turn out to be very harmful to toyota and possibly Japanese products in general, which usually have a good reputation with regard to quality. It will be interesting to see if Honda, Nissan, or other auto companies will be able to use this as a oprotunity to encroach on Toyota's substantial market share.

Article

The US car safety watchdog has ordered Toyota to hand over documents relating to its mass vehicle recalls, to see if the firm reacted quickly enough.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it wanted to find out if Toyota conducted the recent recalls "in a timely manner".

It added that it was also studying whether their scope was too limited.

Toyota said it would "co-operate to provide all the information they have requested".

The NHTSA said was "requiring Toyota to provide documents showing when and how it learned of the defects affecting approximately six million vehicles in the US alone".

Toyota is continuing to recall 8.5 million vehicles worldwide because of problems linked to faulty accelerator pedals, accelerator pedals getting stuck in floor mats, and weak braking systems.

Responding to the NHTSA, Toyota said it took responsibility for vehicle safety seriously and to alert government officials of any safety issue "in a timely manner".

Toyota announced on 26 January that was suspending sales and production of eight models in the US, as it seeks to resolve its problems.

The NHTSA said federal law requires all carmakers to notify it within five days of discovering a safety recall, and to promptly conduct a recall.

"Investigators are also looking into whether Toyota discovered the problems during pre-production or post-production of the affected vehicles," it added.

stuff to collect

NES (FC twin turbo-ey deal or original)
GBA SP (any is good, classic/other specials promode)
GBA Micro
Ammo stockpiles (cause lolpocalypse)
http://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=WON-HONORSTICKER&Category_Code=
http://www.amazon.com/PS2-PS3-PC-Universal-Fighting-Joystick/dp/B0015PHMFU/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
http://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=RB-MCNINJA-TRILOGY&Category_Code=RB
http://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=WON-METASTICKER&Category_Code=