(Toyota Motor Corp.: Tokyo) -- At a press conference on Feb. 17 in Tokyo, regarding quality related issues, the Toyota Motor Corp. (TMC) announced the following:

Japan-market recall progress

The company has completed preparations for recall repair for the Toyota “Sai” and Lexus “HS250h,” and its dealers began notifying owners today about the recall procedures.

Electronic throttle control technology safety

The TMC’s electronic throttle control system incorporates overlapping fail-safe features linked to several sensors. The occurrence of a problem causes the system to shift the engine to idling mode or even to shut it off. The TMC has conducted rigorous testing under extremes of electromagnetic interference, vibration, and other adverse conditions. That testing has conclusively verified that the system cannot accidentally induce acceleration.

In addition, the TMC has commissioned an independent, third-party research organization to test its electronic throttle control system. The TMC will release the findings of that testing as they become available.

 …