Recently, Toyota Motors issued a global recall of 1.43 million vehicles to fix a possible curtain shield airbag inflator defect. According to a statement issued by the world’s leading auto maker, the latest recall affected the 2008 to 2012 models of Prius hybrid, Prius plug-in hybrid and Lexus CT 200h vehicles.
The recall comprised 743, 000 units in Japan, 495, 000 in North America, 141, 000 in Europe, 9, 000 in China and 46, 000 in other parts of the globe. The recall vehicles were fitted with curtain shield airbags in the driver and passenger-side roof rails that have inflators composed of two chambers welded together.
It said some inflators might have small cracks which could grow over time, and lead to a separation of the chambers. It also clarified that the curtain shield airbags in question were not made by its supplier, Takata. “No injuries or fatalities in relation to the recall have been reported”, the auto maker said.
There is no doubt that Toyota prides itself on being a manufacturer of fantastic automobiles. The car maker’s popularity and high demands for its products are a direct consequence of the reliability, high quality, ruggedness and durability which have become the hallmarks of the auto giant. This reputation has been responsible for the company’s growth at breakneck speed. But these occasional recalls of some faulty vehicles from different parts of the globe often leave millions of its customers wondering.
Toyota’s periodic travails, precipitated by defects that sometimes creep into some of its products, began in 2005 when it recalled more than two million cars from the United States alone. And between 2009 and 2010, the company identified six millions cars in North America whose accelerator pedals were capable of jamming. From its European market, the auto outfit recalled close to two million cars.
Further sales of the affected models, mainly Prius and Camry whose braking software and gas pedals were being replaced, had to be halted. From 2005 to date, Toyota has recalled over 12 million cars and still counting.
Many have blamed Toyota’s global auto defects on its rabid desire either to overtake or stay ahead of its major competitors. It rolls out millions of different brands and fits them with standardised parts across many models to make production faster. In the past decade and half, Toyota has raised its production capacity to more than 12 million units per year. In the process, however, it has got its fingers burnt. Indeed, speed kills.
Toyota’s rivals which spread across the world are always quick to cash in on the confusion whenever it occurs.
Nigeria is a large market for Toyota products. In spite of the expensive prices that all models of Toyota come with, the company enjoys incredible patronage as manufacturers of dependable vehicles, especially the posh and luxury sedans. Although none of the affected models has found its way into the Nigerian market, no one can deny the fact that this country is vulnerable to importation of all manner of defective products, automobiles inclusive.
Since we are condemned to relying on “Tokunbo” vehicles, it is necessary to take precautions to ensure that these models on recall are not imported or smuggled into the country. The relevant bodies like the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and vehicle inspection officers (VIOs) should be on the lookout for these runaway models. Given the safety which airbags provide in the event of fatal accidents on our killer highways, we cannot afford to run vehicles fitted with faulty devices or any other defects for that matter.
Nevertheless, Toyota should be saluted for all the steps it usually takes to recall its faulty models whenever such discoveries are made. By so doing, it has demonstrated corporate responsiveness by not shying away from its obligation to millions of its customers even as it is learning its lesson in a hard way and at a great cost.
