The March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan caused severe problems to automakers all around the world, mainly due to the lack of parts, but at least Toyota seems to be recovering at a faster pace than expected. Today, the world’s largest automaker said production at its North American facilities will rise to approximately 70 percent of normal in June, up from around 30 percent in May when it was forced to idle factories for several days or reduce shifts.
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More specifically, Toyota is recalling approximately 20,000 Lexus GS 300 and GS 350 All-Wheel Drive vehicles from the 2006-2007 model years to modify the shape of the plastic pad embedded in the driver’s side floor carpet. According to the company, if the floor carpet is not properly replaced in the correct position after a service operation, it is possible that the plastic pad embedded into the floor carpet may jam against the accelerator pedal and keep it from returning to the idle position.
Not surprisingly, the NA 2011 Highlander features the same styling updates as the model shown in Moscow. On the outside, the Highlander gets a new front fascia, hood and fenders, redesigned head lamps and tail lights, a re-trimmed rear bumper, as well as new alloy wheel designs and black rockers with chrome accents for the gasoline models.
For 2011, Toyota has further distinguished the Hybrid version that gains a unique front grille and bumper design plus color-keyed rockers with chrome accents, vertically stacked fog lamps and blue lens covers for the head lights.
The 2011 Highlander's exterior benefits significantly from a much more crisp, defined nose and headlights, along with restyled tail lamps and new bumper trim at the back. The rest of the car appears to go on mostly unchanged for the new model year.
Russian and Ukrainian buyers get a single engine option, the 3.5-liter V6 gasoline unit pumping out 273HP, matched to a five-speed automatic transmission.
For the record, the Toyota models not affected by the temporary sales halt are the Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser and select Camry models, including all Camry hybrids, which will remain for sale.
According to the company, the new sticking accelerator pedal recall is separate from the on-going recall of around 1.7 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to reduce the risk of pedal entrapment by incorrect or out of place accessory floor mats.
In this latest recall, the Japanese automaker said that it has investigated isolated reports of sticking accelerator pedal mechanisms in certain vehicles even without the presence of floor mats.
According to Toyota, there's a possibility that certain accelerators may, "in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position."
"Helping ensure the safety of our customers and restoring confidence in Toyota are very important to our company," commented Group Vice President and Toyota Division General Manager Bob Carter.
"This action is necessary until a remedy is finalized. We're making every effort to address this situation for our customers as quickly as possible."
Because of the sales halt, the company said that it will stop producing vehicles on certain production lines for the week of February 1. The affected factories are listed below:
--Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Canada (Corolla, Matrix, and RAV4)
--Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (Sequoia and Highlander)
--Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky – Line 1 (Camry and Avalon)
--Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (Camry)
--Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (Tundra)
The new Highlander SE is offered solely with a 270 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine coupled to a five-speed automatic transmission that returns EPA-estimated fuel efficiency ratings of 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway on 4x2 models, and 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway on the 4x4.
Standard features on the SE include leather seats, Tri-Zone automatic front and rear air conditioning, power tilt/slide moonroof, heated front seats and exterior mirrors, an audio system with a six-disc CD changer, 17-inch alloy wheels, Homelink universal transceiver, daytime running lights, and a tow package.
Set to arrive at Toyota showrooms in the beginning of January 2010, the new Highlander SE 4x2 will start at $32,480 while the 4x4 model, at $33,930 (not including an $800 destination and handling fee).
The price increases for twelve other Toyota and Scion models range from $100 for the Corolla, Scion xD, xB and tC, to $500 for the Sequoia and FJ Cruiser.
*The Highlander pictured above is not the 2010 SE grade model
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