Toyota puts brake on safety worries

Toyota has said it will fit a brake-override system to every new vehicle it makes.

The move is seen as an attempt to reassure buyers after the damage caused to its reputation by the worldwide recall of more than 8.5 million vehicles in the wake of brake and accelerator defects.

What is it?
The new brake-override system announced today by Toyota's president, Akio Toyoda is designed to solve problems with the accelerator pedals on various models, which have been linked to 34 deaths in the US.

Toyota's brake-override mechanism allows the brake to take effect first when drivers accidentally depress it and the accelerator at the same time.

Corolla recall considered
In another blow to the troubled manufacturer, Toyota is considering recalling its Corolla model.

The move comes after reports of concerns over the car's power-steering system. The Corolla is no longer sold in the UK.

New 'quality' chiefs
Toyota boss Akio Toyoda also revealed that 'chief quality officers' are to be appointed for each global region to work with the company's new Special Committee for Global Quality.

• Mr Toyoda has said that he won't be appearing before US congressional committees that are investigating the defects that have resulted in the multi-million vehicle recall.

The story, so far
Get the background to the Toyota story with our recall timeline, here.