Toyota recall may not solve problem

24 February 2010

Troubled car maker Toyota has said that the global recall of its cars may "not totally" solve the problem of unexpected acceleration.

The president of Toyota's US operations James Lentz made the statement at the beginning of the US Congressional hearings.

However, the executive also told the sceptical politicians: "We are vigilant and we continue to look for potential causes."

He added that the problem of sudden and dangerous acceleration in some the most popular Toyota models could have been caused either due to misplaced floor mats or sticking accelerator pedals.

The electronic systems connected to the accelerator pedal and fuel line did not lead to the problem, the US boss insisted.

This was however sharply criticised by the congressional panel, which demanded that such a possibility should be further explored.

Mr Lentz was among the first to be grilled at the hearings that is probing into the safety problems of Toyota vehicles.

Meanwhile, Akio Toyoda - the president of the Japanese firm - is also set to face tough questioning on problems that led to 8.5 million vehicles being recalled worldwide as well as the manufacturer's response to the complaints.

Copyright © Press Association 2010