Toyota exec: Electronics are not to blame

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By KEN THOMAS

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Toyota's top U.S. sales executive plans to tell Congress that the automaker believes faulty electronics are not to blame for unintended accelerations in its vehicles.

Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., will tell lawmakers Thursday that the company "remains confident" that electronics did not cause the problems that led to more than 8 million recalled vehicles, according to excerpts of his testimony provided by Toyota.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee is holding a hearing Thursday to review complaints of electronic problems in Toyotas. Safety groups have said electronics could be the culprit for the safety issues. The government and Congress is investigating.

Toyota, the world's largest automaker, has paid a record $16.4 million fine for a slow response to an accelerator pedal recall and faces hundreds of state and federal lawsuits. The Transportation Department could assess more penalties if it finds evidence the company delayed other recalls.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TOYOTA_RECALLS?SITE=TXHOU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. He most likely has no choice but to say this...

But I think it's still a lie...

[elfin]

2. Who knows? But I seem to remember that the average age for

reported incidents was into the "geezer" category.

No link -- but then, I am a geezer, so how could I remember the source?

[Omaha Steve]

4. Not the average age

But then why don't we see similar numbers in other cars not made by Toyota with geezer age in unintended acceleration? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Nihil]

5. Fatal vs non-fatal?

A dead driver can't claim "unintended acceleration" as an excuse for poor driving.

Higher rate of survival for old farts in a new(-ish) Toyota than in a banger?

No money to be had in claims of "unintended acceleration" not involving Toyotas?

Lots of possible reasons if the "inquiring minds" really wanted to know.

:shrug:

[Omaha Steve]

6. This story about deaths from last year covers these 2

"A dead driver can't claim "unintended acceleration" as an excuse for poor driving." & No money to be had in claims of "unintended acceleration" not involving Toyotas?


This accident was before unintended acceleration was known. So I doubt the driver died for $. As for the driving, it fits the pattern.



http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4390874

Feds in Billerica examine Toyota involved in fatal crash
May 20, 2010 03:56 PM E-mail| | Text size – +

By Erin Ailworth, Globe Staff

BILLERICA -- Federal investigators today examined a Toyota Highlander that crashed on Columbus Day, taking the lives of Stephen Krause, driver of a car that was hit by the Toyota, and three others. Also killed in the accident were the driver of the Toyota, Harvard professor and medical researcher Stephen Lagakos of Wellesley; his wife Regina; and his mother, Helen.

Colleen Krause, widow of Stephen Krause, was present at today's examination, as were representatives of Toyota Motor Corp., the world's biggest auto maker.

“It was a very hard day, to see the wreck again, to see the car again," said Colleen Krause, who suspects the cause of the accident to have been unintended acceleration. She added she hoped participating in the investigation will help prevent other fatalities. "I can't have my husband back, which is what I really want," she said.

She said those present observed a moment of silence before the examination began.

Three engineers went over the wrecked Toyota with "a microscope," said attorney Jack Middleton, who is representing Krause.

"As far as we know, Toyota is taking this very, very seriously," said Middleton. He said the federal agency was there "in force...This wasn't a five-minute inspection."

Investigators from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration examined the crash site near the Peterborough and Jaffrey town lines in New Hampshire yesterday.

In Washington today, lawmakers in the US House of Representatives accused Toyota of failing to keep its promise to get to the bottom of what caused sudden unintended acceleration in some of its vehicles, despite public statements the automaker made to reassure consumers.

FULL story at link.

[HopeHoops]

3. That's Bullshit-speak for "We can't figure the fuckers out".

Maybe they need a LARGER placebo shim.