Toyota Phils. awaits word from Japan as recall adds hybrids

The Philippine unit of Toyota Motor Corp. (TMC) on Tuesday declined to comment for the meantime on the Japanese car giant's latest recall of four hybrid models, particularly on how it will affect some 20 local Prius buyers. Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) representatives, as of press time, said they were still meeting on the matter and waiting for instructions from Japan. TMC on Tuesday announced the global recall of four hybrid models including the 2010 Prius, which was introduced in the Philippines last year. TMP's luxury arm, Lexus Manila, Inc., said none of the 172 units so far sold were affected by the recall, adding that it is even planning to introduce a hybrid model later this year. The Lexus hybrid vehicle involved, an official said, is not being sold here. TMC named the four models covered by the worldwide pullout as the 2010 Prius, Prius Plug-in Hybrid, Sai, and the Lexus HS250h. The firm admitted to "reduced braking performance resulting in increased braking distance" in the listed models. The pullout comes on the heels of recalls for more than eight million units with sticky gas pedals. A 40-minute reprogramming of the cars’ anti-lock braking system should resolve the problem, TMC said. Sales and deliveries of the four hybrids will be suspended "until we have prepared the solutions," TMC said, clarifying that cars being produced now would not have the same glitch. Lexus Manila, which opened its doors last year, said it was not covered by the worldwide recall and would even be pushing through with plans to bring in hybrids later this year. "We don’t offer hybrid Lexus models yet," Lexus Manila President Daniel M. Isla said in a telephone interview. "[But] we are bringing in hybrids anyway towards May and another in the second semester. There is plenty of time to rectify [the brake problem]," he said. He said the firm’s 200-unit sale target for 2010 — a 16-percent rise over the 2009 tally — stays. TMP, the country’s top car firm, earlier said units being sold locally were not affected by the spreading accelerator pedal recall, which was announced last month. The Camry and Corolla Altis available locally, it said, are made in Thailand, while RAV4 models are imported from Japan. In the US market, the affected models include certain 2009-2010 RAV4s, certain 2009-2010 Corollas, certain 2007-2010 Camrys, 2009-2010 Matrix, 2005-2010 Avalon, certain 2010 Highlanders, 2007-2010 Tundra, and the 2008-2010 Sequoia. TMPis targetting 8.2 percent sales growth to 50,000 units this year. Last year, it sold 46,193 units, up by 0.6 percent. Prior to the recall, the firm said it did not expect an uptick in Prius sales this year. — Jessica Anne D. Hermosa, BusinessWorld