Toyota pulls its first electric car - the wheels fall off
Toyota has recalled its first EV, and Subaru has the same problem.
Toyota is recalling 2,700 of its first mass-produced electric vehicles for the global market, due to the risk of wheels falling off.
The world's largest car manufacturer has submitted a recall of the bZ4X SUV model to the Japanese Ministry of Transport. Of the 2,700 vehicles, 2,200 were destined for Europe, 260 for the United States, 10 for Canada, and 110 for Japan, the company said.
Subaru has also announced that it is globally withdrawing about 2,600 Solterra vehicles, its first all-electric vehicle, which was developed jointly with Toyota, for the same reason.
The Japanese safety regulator announced that sharp turns and sudden braking can cause the bolts on the wheel hub to loosen, increasing the risk of the wheels falling off the vehicle. It is said that it is not known that the malfunction has caused any traffic accidents so far.
The regulator advised drivers to stop using the vehicle until a permanent solution is found. All the cars withdrawn in Japan have not yet been delivered to customers, because they were intended for test drives and exhibitions, spokesmen for the car manufacturer said.
" We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, " Toyota said on its website.
When it comes to Subaru, most of the vehicles were intended for dealers and none were delivered to customers in the United States, a company spokesman said.
The recall comes less than two months after Toyota introduced its electric SUV, the bZ4X, to the domestic market, albeit only as a rental option.
Some investors and environmental organizations have criticized the company for not trying to phase out gasoline cars fast enough and accepting EVs instead.
Toyota has repeatedly rejected the criticism, arguing that it is necessary to offer a range of powertrains, which would suit different markets and customers.
Hybrid models are far more popular in the company’s domestic market than electric vehicles, which accounted for only 1% of cars sold in Japan last year.
However, the market is growing rapidly, and foreign car manufacturers, including Tesla, are making significant inroads into the streets of cities such as Tokyo.
Post by: Bryan C.
