toyota recall accelerator

Somebody forgot to tell the automakers that the economy is going downhill: Auto sales in September were up 10% over last year's numbers, with all of Detroit's Big Three posting solid gains. Imports, however, did not fare as well. Can Toyota, once unstoppable, win back its former primacy, post-tsunami and accelerator debacle?

Last year's massive recalls -- and the resulting legal fallout -- have given Toyota's reputation a beating, cutting into its sales. But the company can't blame all of its problems on the recalls. Analysts also point to another issue: A lack of compelling new models.

The world's largest automaker has reiterated its defense that "pedal misapplication" is the cause of many unintended acceleration cases, following a report that federal investigators have found little evidence of an electronic source.

Acknowledging that "fast growth of the past decade has been too much in some areas for the company to keep up with," a Toyota VP says the carmaker will extend product development by four weeks and add 1,000 engineers to quality control.

A House committee continues to press Toyota about what it knew when regarding unintended acceleration in its vehicles. Lawmakers now suspect Toyota of being less than forthcoming about the "new" brake-override feature it's installing.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it will look into reports that the 2010 Toyota Prius suffers from momentary loss of braking power when encountering bumps, potholes or uneven road surfaces. The agency said it has received 124 complaints from consumers, including four involving crashes.

Toyota is accelerating payments to its 1,200 U.S. dealers for their efforts to help soothe rattled owners of some 2.3 million Toyota cars that have been recalled for unintended acceleration. The company's U.S. sales division will provide payments of $7,500 to $75,000 to help reimburse retailers for extended hours, car washes and other services.

Toyota released a fix for its recalled vehicles with problematic accelerators -- a small steel reinforcement bar that will be installed to reduce surface tension and stop the accelerator from sticking. However, Toyota owners are asked to wait for their certified letter from Toyota in the mail...