Toyota Releases Pricing on 2011MY Cars and Trucks, Adds Standard Brake Overide Tech

Toyota has announced pricing for its U.S. market 2011 model year line-up, which will begin arriving at dealerships in August, with the exception of RAV4 that goes on sale in September.

The big news for the 2011 lineup is the installation of brake override technology as standard equipment across the range. This technology is designed to stop a car if the brakes and accelerator are applied simultaneously (see Consumer Report's video after the jump) and was adopted by Toyota to ease consumer concerns over sudden acceleration of its vehicles.

Aside from the redesigned 2011 Avalon that was introduced with the safety feature, brake override technology is now standard on the Yaris, RAV4 SUV, Land Cruiser SUV, Sequoia SUV and Tundra pickup truck.

There are more changes on certain models for the 2011 model year that you can check out in detail in the press release after the jump.

Toyota Press Release:

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the 2011 Yaris subcompact, RAV4 compact SUV, Land Cruiser premium SUV, Sequoia full-size SUV, and Tundra full-size pickup truck. These 2011 models will begin arriving at dealerships in August, with the exception of RAV4 (September). The following 2011 models that are already on sale will receive price adjustments: Camry and Camry Hybrid mid-size sedans, Avalon premium mid-size sedan, and the Sienna minivan.

For 2011 all Yaris models will receive brake override technology as standard equipment. The liftback models will receive sun visor extensions. The base MSRP for Yaris will range from $12,855 for the three-door Liftback with manual transmission to $14,415 for the Sedan with automatic transmission, reflecting an increase of $250, or 1.8 to 2.0 percent.

The RAV4, the first ever car-based SUV, originally introduced in 1996, receives standard brake override technology for 2011, along with an optional Base Plus Extra Value Package that includes a moonroof, six-CD audio system, color-keyed door handles, upgraded interior fabric, roof rails, privacy glass, 17- inch alloy wheels, tonneau cover (on two-row models), and daytime running lights. The base MSRP for RAV4 will range from $21,925 for the Base four cylinder 2WD model to $28,235 for the Limited V6 4WD model with automatic transmission, an increase of $250, or 0.9 to 1.2 percent.

Land Cruiser, Toyota's premium full-size SUV, will be fitted with brake override technology and the previously optional driver and front passenger Active Seat Belt Pretensioning System is now standard. Land Cruiser will carry a base MSRP of $67,370, an increase of $1,400, or 2.1 percent.

The 2011 Sequoia full-size SUV will also receive brake override technology. A Daytime Running Lights on/off switch has been added and Platinum models will receive a new interior wood- grain-style trim. The MSRP for the 2011 Sequoia will range from $39,580 for the SR5 4.6- liter V8 2WD model to $59,955 for the Platinum 5.7- liter V8 4WD model, an increase of $550, or 0.9 to 1.4 percent.

Tundra, Toyota's full-size pickup truck will receive changes to the interior. The ashtray has been discontinued as a standard feature, and the cigarette lighter has been replaced with a 12V power outlet. The design of the seat headrests has been revised. Mechanical changes include a change in the 4.0- liter V6 engine to a dual VVT-i system with roller rockers and hydraulic lifters for enhanced performance and efficiency. Trailer- sway control programming and brake override technology have been added as standard equipment. The MSRP for the 2011 Tundra will range from $23,935 for the Regular Cab 4.0- liter V6 2WD model to $42,455 for the Limited Crew Max 5.7 liter V8 4WD model, an increase range of $425 to $480 or 0.0 to 1.7 percent. There will be no price change on Limited models.

Avalon, Toyota's flagship passenger car since 1995, continues to set the standard for performance, luxury, and value in its class. Already in production for the 2011 model year, the base MSRP for the Avalon now ranges from $32,445 for the Avalon grade to $35,685 for the Limited, an increase of $200, or 0.6 percent.

The 2011 Camry, the top selling passenger car in America for the last eight years, also receives a price adjustment. The MSRP for the Camry ranges from $19,720 for the base four cylinder model to $29,370 for the XLE V6, an increase of $125, or a range of 0.4 to 0.6 percent.

Model year 2011 Camry Hybrid receives a MSRP adjustment to $26,575, reflecting an increase of $175, or 0.7 percent.

For 2011, the Sienna minivan entered its third generation. The new Sienna receives a MSRP adjustment, ranging from $24,460 for the Base four cylinder model to $39,970 for the Limited V6 AWD model, an increase of $200, or a range of 0.5 to 0.8 percent.

The 2011 Scion xD receives changes to both the interior and exterior. There is a new honeycomb-style grille, and a rear color-keyed spoiler for enhanced styling. Vehicle ride height has been adjusted, and the shock absorber tuning has been optimized for enhanced handling. The interior receives a new fabric for the door panel armrest. The base MSRP ranges from $15,045 for the manual transmission model to $15,845 for the automatic transmission an increase of $145, or 0.9 to 1.0 percent.

*Base MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing, and handling (DPH) fee of $760 for passenger cars, $810 for light trucks and $975 for large trucks (Sequoia and Tundra). The DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

Toyota Suspends U.S. Sales of Eight Models Including Camry, Corolla and RAV4 to Deal with Accelerator Pedal Issues

Only a few days after announcing that it would recall approximately 2.3 million vehicles to correct sticking accelerator pedals on specific Toyota Division models, the Japanese automaker said today that it will temporarily suspend sales of eight Toyota vehicles that are on the recall list in the USA. No Lexus or Scion models are included in the sales suspension. The affected Toyota models are listed below:

• 2009-2010 RAV4
  
• 2009-2010 Corolla
  
• 2009-2010 Matrix
  
• 2005-2010 Avalon
  
• Certain 2007-2010 Camry
  
• 2010 Highlander
  
• 2007-2010 Tundra
  
• 2008-2010 Sequoia
  

For the record, the Toyota models not affected by the temporary sales halt are the Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser and select Camry models, including all Camry hybrids, which will remain for sale.

According to the company, the new sticking accelerator pedal recall is separate from the on-going recall of around 1.7 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to reduce the risk of pedal entrapment by incorrect or out of place accessory floor mats.

In this latest recall, the Japanese automaker said that it has investigated isolated reports of sticking accelerator pedal mechanisms in certain vehicles even without the presence of floor mats.

According to Toyota, there's a possibility that certain accelerators may, "in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position."

"Helping ensure the safety of our customers and restoring confidence in Toyota are very important to our company," commented Group Vice President and Toyota Division General Manager Bob Carter.

"This action is necessary until a remedy is finalized. We're making every effort to address this situation for our customers as quickly as possible."

Because of the sales halt, the company said that it will stop producing vehicles on certain production lines for the week of February 1. The affected factories are listed below:

--Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Canada (Corolla, Matrix, and RAV4)

--Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (Sequoia and Highlander)

--Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky – Line 1 (Camry and Avalon)

--Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (Camry)

--Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (Tundra)

Fatal Accident Prompts Toyota and Lexus to Warn Drivers to Remove Floormat Due to Risk of Accelerator Getting Stuck

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Toyota have eleased an official announcement to warn drivers of seven Toyota and Lexus models that there's a possibility that the accelerator pedal may get stuck in the full open position due to an "unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat." Even though it may not sound serious at first, Reuters reported that the U.S. government said it has received reports of 100 incidents related to this problem including 17 crashes and 5 fatalities involving Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

In one of these accidents, it was reported that an off-duty California state trooper and three members of his family were killed in a 2009 Lexus ES350 crash in San Diego. Reuters said that before the crash, a passenger of the ES350 has called the police to inform them that the accelerator was jammed and the car had reached 120mph (193km/h) at that time.

Although the San Diego incident is still under investigation, meaning that it is not yet confirmed that the floormat is to blame, Toyota said that it wanted to take precautionary measures on the matter.

"Obviously the tragic accident in San Diego was certainly an eye opener for all of us and we've paid very, very diligent attention to moving forward to try to make sure none of us will be reliving that kind of a very tragic situation," said Toyota spokesman Irv Miller.

Overall, Toyota is planning to issue a safety recall on around 3.8 million vehicles due to the issue with the driver's floor mat.

The affected Toyota models are the 2007-2010 Camry, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2004-2009 Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma and 2007-2010 Tundra.

The Lexus modes affected by the recall are the 2007-2010 ES 350 and 2006-2010 IS 250 and IS 350 sedans.

Surprisingly, this is not the first time that Toyota has faced a problem with the driver's floormat as in September 2007, the firm recalled an accessory all-weather floor mat sold for use in 2007 and 2008MY Lexus ES 350 and Toyota Camry sedans because of similar issues.

The Japanese company said that until it "develops a remedy", it is asking the owners of the above models to "take out any removable driver's floor mat and NOT replace it with any other floor mat."

In the case that drivers are confronted with a jammed accelerator pedal, here's what Toyota recommends that they do:

From Toyota and Lexus Press Release: Should the vehicle continue to accelerate rapidly after releasing the accelerator pedal, this could be an indication of floor mat interference. If this occurs, Toyota recommends the driver take the following actions:

First, if it is possible and safe to do so, pull back the floor mat and dislodge it from the accelerator pedal; then pull over and stop the vehicle.

If the floor mat cannot be dislodged, then firmly and steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet. Do NOT pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the effort required to slow the vehicle.

Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine.

If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF, or to ACC. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost.

-If the vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop button, firmly and steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine. Do NOT tap the Engine Start/Stop button.

-If the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key-ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position to turn off the engine. Do NOT remove the key from the ignition as this will lock the steering wheel.

Via: Toyota & Lexus, NHTSA and Reuters