Breaking News: Toyota to launch new safety system

Toyota is to introduce a new brake override system to all new vehicles as it seeks to battle through a global car recall.
According to the BBC, the carmaker will apply a new system which will cut the engine power if the accelerator and brakes are applied at the same time.

The new system could help prevent situations where the accelerator becomes jammed, making the car difficult to control.

Toyota Motor Corp chief Akio Toyoda told Japanese reporters of the decision to add the system, as the carmaker faced an examination by a US safety authority.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced yesterday that it is using its statutory authority to obtain documents from Toyota to determine if the automaker conducted three of its recent recalls in a ‘timely manner’.

"Safety recalls are very serious matters and automakers are required to quickly report defects," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Around 6 million Toyota cars sold in the US alone are affected by a series of recent recalls, which will seek to address issues surrounding the accelerator pedal sticking and inconsistent braking power.

US officials will now check Toyota has covered all affected models in its recent recalls to ensure it did not miss any problems.

"Our top priority is safety and we expect that all manufacturers address automotive safety issues quickly and in a forthright manner," said David Strickland, Administrator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

If agency officials determine that the carmaker has violated its statutory obligations, the manufacturer could be liable for a maximum of $16.4 million in civil penalties.

Toyota is believed to be fully co-operative with the US investigation.

Mr Toyoda told Japanese reporters that he would not personally attend a US Congressional hearing into the recalls set for 24 February.
Instead, the carmaker’s US executives will go.

The carmaker’s newly-announced Special Committee for Global Quality will hold its first meeting on 30 March in its Tokyo headquarters.

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