chicot60
02-09-2011, 02:21 AM
Tony Van Alphen
Business Reporter
Engine electronics played no role in the sudden, unintended acceleration of Toyota vehicles that caused massive recalls and a dent in the company’s stellar reputation here and around the world last year, according to a U.S. agency.
A U.S. Transportation Department report said Tuesday the automaker had correctly identified that defective accelerator pedals and loose floor mats caused the problems, not glitches with its electronic throttle control systems.
In welcoming the report’s findings, Toyota Canada said in a statement that it should end questions about the safety and reliability of the systems.
“This rigorous scientific analysis should further reinforce confidence in the safety of Toyota and Lexus vehicles,” said company spokeswoman Sandy Di Felice. “It should help put to rest unsupported speculation about Toyota’s ETCSi (electronic throttle control system) which is well-designed and well- tested to ensure that a real world, uncommanded acceleration of the vehicle cannot occur.”
Toyota has used the systems since 2002 but critics had suggested that Toyota’s acceleration problems may have originated in faulty engine electronics in several models.
The result is a relief for the auto industry which has been increasingly integrating electronic technology into models during the last decade. A finding that electronics caused the problems could have led to more regulation.
Toyota, the world’s No.1 automaker, sent notices to the owners of more than 11 million autos in a series of recalls involving various problems including unintended acceleration in late 2009 to the end of last year.
In Canada, Toyota mailed notices to owners of more than 700,000 vehicles for various problems. The company later acknowledged the recalls were partially responsible for a steep drop in sales.
Consumer advocates and U.S. congressional legislators called for an independent investigation to determine any defects in the electronic systems that control engines and other functions.
The Transportation Department asked engineers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to investigate any link between electronics and the acceleration problems and whether there was electronic magnetic interference. NASA is responsible for the U.S. space program, aeronautics and aerospace research.
NASA engineers examined nine vehicles with possible braking problems and tested them for electronic magnetic interference. Furthermore, they looked at software codes to determine if there were any defects that could adversely affect electronic controls.
Last summer, the government said it had not found any problems with the software-driven electronic systems during the first part of the investigation.
Toyota has insisted for years that there are no problems with its electronics. But it paid a record $49 million in penalties last year in the U.S. to settle claims that it had hid defects from regulators.
In Canada, Toyota paid no fines or penalties to the federal government after tough questioning from a parliamentary committee last year about the company’s handling and response to the recalls.
Toyota still faces numerous lawsuits in the U.S. and at least three in Canada.
http://www.thestar.com/business/auto/article/935291--engine-electronics-didn-t-trigger-toyota-speed-ups-watchdog
Business Reporter
Engine electronics played no role in the sudden, unintended acceleration of Toyota vehicles that caused massive recalls and a dent in the company’s stellar reputation here and around the world last year, according to a U.S. agency.
A U.S. Transportation Department report said Tuesday the automaker had correctly identified that defective accelerator pedals and loose floor mats caused the problems, not glitches with its electronic throttle control systems.
In welcoming the report’s findings, Toyota Canada said in a statement that it should end questions about the safety and reliability of the systems.
“This rigorous scientific analysis should further reinforce confidence in the safety of Toyota and Lexus vehicles,” said company spokeswoman Sandy Di Felice. “It should help put to rest unsupported speculation about Toyota’s ETCSi (electronic throttle control system) which is well-designed and well- tested to ensure that a real world, uncommanded acceleration of the vehicle cannot occur.”
Toyota has used the systems since 2002 but critics had suggested that Toyota’s acceleration problems may have originated in faulty engine electronics in several models.
The result is a relief for the auto industry which has been increasingly integrating electronic technology into models during the last decade. A finding that electronics caused the problems could have led to more regulation.
Toyota, the world’s No.1 automaker, sent notices to the owners of more than 11 million autos in a series of recalls involving various problems including unintended acceleration in late 2009 to the end of last year.
In Canada, Toyota mailed notices to owners of more than 700,000 vehicles for various problems. The company later acknowledged the recalls were partially responsible for a steep drop in sales.
Consumer advocates and U.S. congressional legislators called for an independent investigation to determine any defects in the electronic systems that control engines and other functions.
The Transportation Department asked engineers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to investigate any link between electronics and the acceleration problems and whether there was electronic magnetic interference. NASA is responsible for the U.S. space program, aeronautics and aerospace research.
NASA engineers examined nine vehicles with possible braking problems and tested them for electronic magnetic interference. Furthermore, they looked at software codes to determine if there were any defects that could adversely affect electronic controls.
Last summer, the government said it had not found any problems with the software-driven electronic systems during the first part of the investigation.
Toyota has insisted for years that there are no problems with its electronics. But it paid a record $49 million in penalties last year in the U.S. to settle claims that it had hid defects from regulators.
In Canada, Toyota paid no fines or penalties to the federal government after tough questioning from a parliamentary committee last year about the company’s handling and response to the recalls.
Toyota still faces numerous lawsuits in the U.S. and at least three in Canada.
http://www.thestar.com/business/auto/article/935291--engine-electronics-didn-t-trigger-toyota-speed-ups-watchdog