Toyota quality concerns could delay new models

Toyota says it may have to delay introducing some new models because of quality control issues. The car maker, which previously enjoyed a reputation for reliability, has had to recall more than one and a half million vehicles so far this year in Japan and the US to fix various faults.

In the latest announcement, Toyota said it will have to fix faulty rubber seals on the windscreens of 20,000 cars in China. In addition, it being investigated by Japanese prosecutors over claims that quality control managers delayed a car recall involving a model in which a couple and their three young children were later injured in a road accident.

As a result of the problems, Toyota is now considering adding three to six months to its new model development lead time in order to improve quality. The firm said it will look at all areas of development, from manufacturing and design to dealing with customer complaints.

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