Toyota Recalls 2.1 Million Vehicles in US

VOA Breaking News
Voice of America
February 24, 2011 at 4:40 pm

Toyota, the world's biggest automaker, is recalling more than 2.1 million vehicles in the United States because their accelerator pedals could get trapped in floor mats or carpeting.

The Japanese auto manufacturer announced the recall Thursday. Toyota added six models from its 2003 to 2010 production line to its earlier recalls related to safety issues in which accelerator pedals have stuck and vehicles sped out of control. In all, since 2009, the automaker has now recalled more than 14 million vehicles throughout the world for various safety problems.

Toyota said it was unaware of any accidents or injuries related to the new recalls. The U.S. government recently concluded that accidents involving the rapid, unintended acceleration of Toyota vehicles were not related to electronic flaws.

Meanwhile, General Motors, the world's second biggest automaker, reported that it earned a $4.7 billion profit in 2010, its first profitable year since 2004. GM emerged from bankruptcy late last year and has paid back a large portion of the loans that the U.S. government gave it to stay in business after it nearly collapsed in the 2008 economic crisis.