| So what is the real story? Has the government | | | | investigation, the company found that floormats |
| found that Toyota was not at fault in the | | | | interfered with some gas pedals and that some |
| accidental acceleration crashes? Was The Wall | | | | pedals could briefly stick in the open position. |
| Street Journal just making stuff up? (As if!) We | | | | Electrical problems were suggested, but neither |
| may not get the full story for awhile. Okay, we | | | | Toyota nor the NHTSA, if the Journal can be |
| may never get the whole story because the U.S. | | | | believed, have found evidence of such electrical |
| Department of Transportation has, for now, | | | | problems. |
| blocked some of their findings. | | | | Person stated that in 23 of 40 cars examined by |
| Your Tifton Toyota dealer would like to have the | | | | NHTSA showed evidence that the gas pedal was |
| whole story, as would many Toyota owners. One | | | | depressed by mistake when drivers meant to use |
| recently-retired NHTSA official hinted that the | | | | the brake pedal. He says he believes the agency |
| findings may absolve Toyota of any fault in some | | | | is "sitting on" the reports for fear of criticism that |
| of the crashes and that the reports were being | | | | they have not thoroughly investigated the |
| held in confidence of the protests of some | | | | electrical issues. NHTSA has in the recent past |
| officials with the agency. | | | | been accused of a too-close relationship with auto |
| NHTSA retiree George Person said he was told | | | | makers. He adds that the investigation is very |
| that it had not been published at the request of | | | | political and there is anger toward Toyota. |
| the secretary's office - Transportation Secretary | | | | Oddly enough, I don't think the American public |
| Ray LaHood, that is. A spokesperson from that | | | | cares about politics being involved in or interfering |
| office said the data is still under review and the | | | | with car safety. I certainly just would like to hear |
| investigation has not concluded. Sounds like a | | | | the truth as it is known and see a stop to all the |
| governmental answer. | | | | games and speculation. Just the facts, ma'am. |
| The Wall Street Journal on July 14 ran a story | | | | Customers of your Tifton Toyota dealer would |
| that claimed the NHTSA had information showing | | | | like to know as well. |
| that many of the crashes due to sudden | | | | Incidents of sudden acceleration have been |
| acceleration were incidents of driver error, | | | | reported in Toyotas dating back to the 1990s. |
| stepping on the accelerator rather than the brake | | | | However, I'm sure they have also been reported |
| pedal. The crashes led to Toyota recalling more | | | | with other automakers and whether the numbers |
| than 8.5 million vehicles and being fined $16.4 million | | | | are similar and investigations were launched into |
| for not reporting safety issues in a timely manner. | | | | domestic automakers has not been discussed. |
| Lake City Toyota customers can be assured that | | | | Your Lake City Toyota dealer wants owners to |
| Toyota has been and will continue to address any | | | | know the truth and how Toyota is addressing |
| vehicle or safety issues, as promised when the | | | | any problems. Perhaps someday our government |
| recalls were first announced. During Toyota's own | | | | will choose to share that with us. |
