Toyota has run into further headwinds after widely publicised reports that the driver of a Prius hybrid hatchback in California had trouble slowing his speeding vehicle on an interstate highway after the accelerator jammed.
The motorist's story was corroborated by a highway patrol officer who caught up with the Prius and helped bring it to a stop on Monday.
Some Prius models were part of a voluntary recall of Toyota and Lexus vehicles last November to address the risk that out-of-position floor mats could jam accelerator pedals.
Toyota said on Tuesday it had no plans for any new Prius recalls related to this problem. However, it again urged owners to remove floor mats from the driver's side, and not replace them.
The carmaker said earlier that it had sent a technical specialist to investigate the California incident and to offer assistance.
Ray LaHood, the US transportation secretary, said two investigators from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration were also looking into what happened.
Separately, Toyota's US dealers launched a broadside against General Motors on Tuesday, accusing the Detroit carmaker of using taxpayers' money to counter generous incentives that Toyota has offered to win back buyers.
Toyota last week launched what it described as the most comprehensive programme of interest-free financing and cheap leasing deals in its history as part of its campaign to recover from a series of vehicle recalls that have dented its reputation for safety and reliability.
Several of its rivals, including GM, have responded with similar deals. GM has come in for special criticism however, because it is 61 per cent owned by the US government. Washington has a smaller equity stake in Chrysler.
Paul Atkinson, a Texas dealer who heads Toyota's national dealer council, said in a statement: “It is outrageous that GM is using our taxpayer dollars against us, making me and other Toyota dealers pay to undermine our own businesses.”
Several members of Congress raised questions during hearings on Toyota's problems last month over whether the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration favoured GM and Chrysler in safety decisions.
GM commented that “under the current circumstances, we understand why Toyota dealers are frustrated, but they know better that incentives have always been a part of auto retailing”.
