Toyota Moves to Regain Quality Image as Plants Idled

Toyota Motor Corp.’s plan to suspend output at five North American plants marks an “unprecedented” step to win back U.S. buyers’ trust after recalling 2.3 million vehicles at risk for sudden acceleration, analysts said.

U.S. law required Toyota to stop sales of eight models while a “dangerous” pedal flaw is fixed, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said today. Toyota made that move yesterday and also ordered the halt in production.

“The only thing that it is close to in scale and size is the Ford and Firestone rollover issues,” said Bill Visnic, senior editor at auto researcher Edmunds.com, referring to the fatal accidents that spurred a recall of tires used on Ford Motor Co. Explorers in 2000. Toyota’s case “vastly transcends” Ford’s, Visnic said.

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- Posted: 2010-01-27 14:30:59

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