New complaints against Toyota; sales drop 9%

Toyota Motors, Japan auto giant, also announced a 9 percent fall in sales in the nation for February, whereas in Tokyo, shares of Toyota increased by 3 percent.

In order to improve its sales and retain its customers, Toyota has decided a marketing program offering zero percent financing for five years, cheaper leases, and advertisements featuring views of customers who have recently purchased Toyota vehicles. It seems it is the best time to go for a Toyota.

Third meeting with Senate Committee
In the third meeting with Senate Commerce Committee, Senate Chairman Jay Rockefeller, Democrat of west Virginia, ordered Toyota to install Brake Override Software in all its old models, irrespective of cost, in two recalls including 5.6 million vehicles.

Rockefeller accused Toyota for not taking any action despite of warning given to Japan supervisors by top U.S. executives.

A presentation was given by Jim Press, Toyota's former North American President, in 2006 where he told Japanese officials the need for transparency in safety matters.

In January 2008, Chris Tinto, vice president of Toyota in U.S., also alleged the same argument.

Toyota executives alleged that the unintended acceleration was due to gas pedals obstructed by floor mats, not by electronic systems. Nearly one million vehicles have been repaired by their dealers after recalls.

Complaints after recalls
In the last two weeks, minimum seven complaints have been received by NHTSA against Toyota after recalls.

Till now, recalls have included fixes like change of floor mats, replacements and modification of pedals, removal of floor padding, and addition of Brake Overriding software.

New complaints for engine lights and sudden acceleration in Avalon, Camry, Matrix were also received.

Brake Overriding Software is being installed in all the aforesaid vehicles including Lexus IS and ES. About 20 percent vehicles in North America have overrides. No complaints against IS and ES have been received by NHTSA till Tuesday.

Toyota's response
Toyota spokesperson Celeste Migliore told Lose Angeles Times, she " was not aware of specific complaints alleging that sudden acceleration had recurred despite receiving the repair, but said the automaker closely monitored the NHTSA database. We very much would like to have any of those individuals who claim they've had unintended acceleration after the fix go back to the dealership. If there was an accident, we want to see the vehicle and the driver and the accident report."

Toyota has also decided to install Brake Overriding Software in all its 2011 models. It has also decided to check Venza, Tacoma, and Sequoia models.