> August 10, 2010
>
> Toyota Fast Facts is an update on Toyota and industry news. For more news,
> visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.
>
>
> (Embedded image moved to file: pic26337.jpg)
>
> 1. Government Finds No Electronics Issues So Far in Toyota UA Probes
>
> According to the Associated Press, federal regulators told Congress today
> that they have not found any evidence so far of electronic issues in
> incidents of alleged unintended acceleration by Toyota vehicles,
>
> While it is still at an “early period of the investigation,” the U.S.
> Department of Transportation said it has not found any problems beyond two
> previously identified in recalls by Toyota – floor mat entrapment and
> sticking accelerator pedals.
>
> TMS issued the following statement:
>
> We cannot confirm what information was shared by NHTSA with Members of
> Congress today. However, Toyota's own vehicle evaluations have confirmed
> that the remedies it developed for sticking accelerator pedal and potential
> accelerator pedal entrapment by an unsecured or incompatible floor mat are
> effective. We have also confirmed several different causes for unintended
> acceleration reports, including pedal entrapment by floor mats, pedal
> misapplication and vehicle functions where a slight increase in engine
> speed is normal, such as engine idle up from a cold start or air
> conditioning loads.
>
> Having conducted more than 4,000 on-site vehicle inspections, in no case
> have we found electronic throttle controls to be a cause of unintended
> acceleration. Toyota is committed to listening more attentively to our
> customers and continuing to investigate unintended acceleration concerns.
>
> To read the AP story, please click here:
> http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i3CZPJXvtZZ46SY9bcMupivluKs...
>
> (Embedded image moved to file: pic04592.jpg)
>
> 2. Chief Quality Officer Chats on Twitter About Customer Loyalty, Recall
> Repairs
>
> During an hour-long Twitter chat Tuesday, Steve St. Angel, Toyota’s chief
> quality officer for North America, was quizzed about a host of issues,
> including news products, the UAW and quality issues.
>
> Here are some excerpts:
>
> “Are there any plans for a Volt-like all-electric?” he was asked, to which
> replied: “RAV4 will have an all-electric version in 2012. I’ve driven it
> and it’s a screamer – I love it.”
>
> Asked what, in hindsight, the company would have done differently regarding
> the recalls, St. Angelo said, “We would have done a better job of
> communicating with customers, dealers, regulators and employees.”
>
> “I want the GT4 in the USA; please, bring back the Celica,” wrote one
> participant. St. Angelo wrote back: “If you like your Celica, you’re gonna
> love the FT-86! Stay tuned.”
>
> “If Venza’s basic fit/finishes were poorly done, but still approved, how do
> we know if the engineering/mechanics are safe?” asked a participant. St.
> Angelo said, “I bought one of the first Venzas off the line. 2010 Venza is
> a top safety pick from IIHS. We try to improve daily.”
>
> “Do you feel Toyota was singled out for the recalls due to the failure of
> other “American” companies?” he was asked, to which he replied, “At this
> point it doesn’t matter. We’re safety focused and re-energized to exceed
> our customers’ expectations for quality.”
>
> (Embedded image moved to file: pic11058.jpg)
>
> 3. Auto Affordability Flat as Recovery Slows, Says Comerica Bank
>
> The cost of buying and financing the average-priced new vehicle, as
> measured in weeks of median family income, remained virtually unchanged
> during the past three months, according to Comerica Bank’s Auto
> Affordability Index. It took 23.6 weeks of media family income in the
> second quarter of 2010, the same period of time in the first quarter.
>
> The average total cost increased by $200 to $27,950, a 2.7 percent annual
> rate increase from the first quarter while median family income rose 2.4
> percent in the second quarter and the interest rate on car loans fell 20
> basis points to 4.1 percent.
>
> “Affordability was flat in the second quarter, as rising expenditures on
> new cars were offset by lower interest rates,” said Dana Johnson, chief
> economist at Comerica Bank. “Although the national recovery slowed in the
> second quarter, consumers were still willing to pay more for new vehicles,
> albeit on slightly better financing terms than in the first quarter. As a
> result, affordability was roughly unchanged from the first quarter level.”
>
> (Embedded image moved to file: pic07911.jpg)
>
> 4. Toyota Team Members Offer Testimonials in YouTube Videos
>
> Toyota has posted several short videos on its YouTube channel offering the
> public some personal insights into the company by Toyota team members. Here
> are links to those videos:
>
> Toyota Texas Team Members Volunteering
> http://www.youtube.com/toyotausa#p/c/7DFACFE6E6C94812/1/a9ZaD1Nw1nY
>
> Toyota Volunteers in San Antonio, Texas
> http://www.youtube.com/toyotausa#p/c/7DFACFE6E6C94812/0/BfCy4FvU8ZI
>
> What Toyota Stands For
> http://tmalive.tma.toyota.com/bigfile/862010134556/Toyota_StandsFor_30sec.mov
>
>
> Toyota Principles
> http://tmalive.tma.toyota.com/bigfile/862010134556/Toyota_Principles_15sec.mov
>
> Toyota Technical Center Engineers on Quality
> http://www.youtube.com/toyotausa#p/c/7DFACFE6E6C94812/8/PG5cIukiOfQ
>
> Toyota Fast Facts is an update on Toyota and industry news. For more news,
> visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.
>
>
> (Embedded image moved to file: pic26337.jpg)
>
> 1. Government Finds No Electronics Issues So Far in Toyota UA Probes
>
> According to the Associated Press, federal regulators told Congress today
> that they have not found any evidence so far of electronic issues in
> incidents of alleged unintended acceleration by Toyota vehicles,
>
> While it is still at an “early period of the investigation,” the U.S.
> Department of Transportation said it has not found any problems beyond two
> previously identified in recalls by Toyota – floor mat entrapment and
> sticking accelerator pedals.
>
> TMS issued the following statement:
>
> We cannot confirm what information was shared by NHTSA with Members of
> Congress today. However, Toyota's own vehicle evaluations have confirmed
> that the remedies it developed for sticking accelerator pedal and potential
> accelerator pedal entrapment by an unsecured or incompatible floor mat are
> effective. We have also confirmed several different causes for unintended
> acceleration reports, including pedal entrapment by floor mats, pedal
> misapplication and vehicle functions where a slight increase in engine
> speed is normal, such as engine idle up from a cold start or air
> conditioning loads.
>
> Having conducted more than 4,000 on-site vehicle inspections, in no case
> have we found electronic throttle controls to be a cause of unintended
> acceleration. Toyota is committed to listening more attentively to our
> customers and continuing to investigate unintended acceleration concerns.
>
> To read the AP story, please click here:
> http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i3CZPJXvtZZ46SY9bcMupivluKs...
>
> (Embedded image moved to file: pic04592.jpg)
>
> 2. Chief Quality Officer Chats on Twitter About Customer Loyalty, Recall
> Repairs
>
> During an hour-long Twitter chat Tuesday, Steve St. Angel, Toyota’s chief
> quality officer for North America, was quizzed about a host of issues,
> including news products, the UAW and quality issues.
>
> Here are some excerpts:
>
> “Are there any plans for a Volt-like all-electric?” he was asked, to which
> replied: “RAV4 will have an all-electric version in 2012. I’ve driven it
> and it’s a screamer – I love it.”
>
> Asked what, in hindsight, the company would have done differently regarding
> the recalls, St. Angelo said, “We would have done a better job of
> communicating with customers, dealers, regulators and employees.”
>
> “I want the GT4 in the USA; please, bring back the Celica,” wrote one
> participant. St. Angelo wrote back: “If you like your Celica, you’re gonna
> love the FT-86! Stay tuned.”
>
> “If Venza’s basic fit/finishes were poorly done, but still approved, how do
> we know if the engineering/mechanics are safe?” asked a participant. St.
> Angelo said, “I bought one of the first Venzas off the line. 2010 Venza is
> a top safety pick from IIHS. We try to improve daily.”
>
> “Do you feel Toyota was singled out for the recalls due to the failure of
> other “American” companies?” he was asked, to which he replied, “At this
> point it doesn’t matter. We’re safety focused and re-energized to exceed
> our customers’ expectations for quality.”
>
> (Embedded image moved to file: pic11058.jpg)
>
> 3. Auto Affordability Flat as Recovery Slows, Says Comerica Bank
>
> The cost of buying and financing the average-priced new vehicle, as
> measured in weeks of median family income, remained virtually unchanged
> during the past three months, according to Comerica Bank’s Auto
> Affordability Index. It took 23.6 weeks of media family income in the
> second quarter of 2010, the same period of time in the first quarter.
>
> The average total cost increased by $200 to $27,950, a 2.7 percent annual
> rate increase from the first quarter while median family income rose 2.4
> percent in the second quarter and the interest rate on car loans fell 20
> basis points to 4.1 percent.
>
> “Affordability was flat in the second quarter, as rising expenditures on
> new cars were offset by lower interest rates,” said Dana Johnson, chief
> economist at Comerica Bank. “Although the national recovery slowed in the
> second quarter, consumers were still willing to pay more for new vehicles,
> albeit on slightly better financing terms than in the first quarter. As a
> result, affordability was roughly unchanged from the first quarter level.”
>
> (Embedded image moved to file: pic07911.jpg)
>
> 4. Toyota Team Members Offer Testimonials in YouTube Videos
>
> Toyota has posted several short videos on its YouTube channel offering the
> public some personal insights into the company by Toyota team members. Here
> are links to those videos:
>
> Toyota Texas Team Members Volunteering
> http://www.youtube.com/toyotausa#p/c/7DFACFE6E6C94812/1/a9ZaD1Nw1nY
>
> Toyota Volunteers in San Antonio, Texas
> http://www.youtube.com/toyotausa#p/c/7DFACFE6E6C94812/0/BfCy4FvU8ZI
>
> What Toyota Stands For
> http://tmalive.tma.toyota.com/bigfile/862010134556/Toyota_StandsFor_30sec.mov
>
>
> Toyota Principles
> http://tmalive.tma.toyota.com/bigfile/862010134556/Toyota_Principles_15sec.mov
>
> Toyota Technical Center Engineers on Quality
> http://www.youtube.com/toyotausa#p/c/7DFACFE6E6C94812/8/PG5cIukiOfQ
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