Thai Toyotas face scrutiny Down Under

[PeteC]

What's wrong with this story and the statement made in the second paragraph? I guess Australia has a monopoly on bumpy roads. I'm willing to bet this bracket has been replaced on many vehicles here and elsewhere, but what the hell, let's cover it up. Pete

AUTOMOBILE RECALLS
Thai Toyotas face scrutiny Down Under

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/mar ... down-under

* Published: 10/09/2010 at 12:00 AM
* Newspaper section: Business

Toyota distributors in Australia are recalling four-wheel-drive Hilux pickup trucks built in Thailand for preventive action due to a faulty support bracket.

However, Toyota Motor Thailand (TMT) says the recall does not affect the same model in other foreign markets or in Thailand.

"The recall by Toyota Australia is aimed at showing its responsibility to and high intention of taking care of its customers, which is the fundamental criterion of customer care for the safest roads," said senior vice-president Wichien Emprasertsuk.

More than 116,000 4WD Hilux pickups will be recalled with the owners to be officially contacted by Toyota Australia starting on Monday. Other Hilux pickup versions are not affected by the recall.

Mr Wichien said the reinforcement or replacement of the rear tailshaft centre bearing support brackets would be made regardless of whether any damage was evident, and at no cost to the vehicle owners.

The damage, the first of its kind to be reported and which may stall the vehicles while driving, is said to be the result of Australia's rough roads and the many cattle grids used to control livestock movement.

In the worst case, the support brackets may detach from their mounting.

Nineteen vehicle owners have reported incidents to their dealers in Australia so far.

" The reports indicate only one accident related to the breakdown in the support brackets has occurred but without any injuries," said Mr Wichien.

This is the first time that vehicles built by TMT have faced a recall not taken directly by the parent company.

Japan's Toyota Motor Corporation, the world's largest carmaker, earlier made massive safety recalls in the US and other markets that consequently tarnished its reputation for quality.

[chelsea]

Pete, if the vehicles they have recalled are all Thai built then that recall should be happening everywhere that the Thai built vehicles are sold.
I will be very suprised if this does not happen because Toyota have had some very bad press regarding safety issues on some of there other models and another black mark on their name will just make things worse.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-wo ... -n3o8.html
The only way I can see it not happening in Thailand is if all the vehicles that are made locally are all for export and not sold via local dealers.

[PeteC]

Many times the models that go offshore from all the manufacturers originate on the same line, but with variations concerning engine type in some cases, accessories etc. Small examples which aren't even options are Mitsu export Pajero Sport has steering wheel audio controls and some have cruise control. Thailand sold do not. Honda CRV export has a light when 4WD automatically engages, Thailand sold does not. Honda Accord export offers a V6, Thailand sold used to but not now. These are easy things to adjust on the same production line with different runs.

I'm sure this simple bearing bracket on the Vigo 4WD is the same on the entire line and for all of them regardless where sold. Pete

[chelsea]

Pete, all they have to do is check that the part number for the Australian ones are the same as any used anywhere else in the world. If they are not then there is not a problem.
If they are then all cars worldwide that use that particular part number on there vehicles should be recalled.
That is how it works normally. I used to work in a dealership and when anything like that happens, they will ship enough parts to cover the amount of vehicles that we had sold, and any vehicles we serviced that we did not sell, parts had to be obtained separately.
I know in America you have the Tacuma, Thailand you have the Vigo and Australia the Hilux, so this could be a fairly large recall on this model.

[Nereus]

Firstly, I am surprised that these vehicles use a centre bearing in the drive train, as it is usually only long wheelbase vehicles such as trucks that need to use them.
However, having spent some time in outback Australia where a lot of these vehicles are used, the harsh conditions that they operate under makes it entirely possible that any such problem will show up there and not anywhere else. The corrugations that develop on unsealed outback roads are pretty much unique to Australia, and have to be experienced to be believed!

I can understand Pete's comment and question, but I doubt that Toyota would try to cover this up, as opposed to the country of manufacture!