February 2, 2010
Dear Toyota Customers:
For
more than 50 years, Toyota has provided you with safe, reliable,
quality vehicles and first-rate service. I am truly sorry for the
concern our recalls have caused, and want you to know we're doing
everything we can - as fast as we can - to make things right.
We
have launched a comprehensive plan to permanently fix the vehicles
we've recalled because in rare instances, accelerator pedals can, over
time, become slow to release or get stuck. We know what's causing this
and what we have to do to fix it. We've tested our solution rigorously,
and we are confident that it works.
We're
working day and night with Toyota dealers to make our recalls simple
and trouble-free. Here are some of the things we're doing:
1.
The precision parts we've engineered to reinforce the pedals are
already being shipped and dealers are being trained to make the repair.
2.
We're writing to all customers affected by the Pedal recall, as well as
the Floor Mat recall, to let them know how to schedule a convenient
appointment with their local dealer.
3.
Many of our dealers will be working extended hours - some of them 24/7
- and adding staff to get through the repairs as quickly as possible.
4.
We've temporarily halted production of these models to focus fully on
fixing this problem in the vehicles that are on the road. Our entire
organization of 172,000 North American employees and dealership
personnel is committed to you. Some of the actions we've taken are
unprecedented. Stopping production is never an easy decision - but
we're confident it's the right thing to do for our customers.
Ensuring
your safety is our highest priority. We'll continue to do everything we
can to meet - and exceed - your expectations, and justify your
continued trust in Toyota.
Sincerely,
Jim Lentz
President and Chief Operating Officer