Toyota Canada Inc., (TCI) announced it will begin fixing accelerator pedals in recalled Toyota Division vehicles by the end of this week. Toyota’s engineers have developed a solution that involves modifying the pedal assembly to eliminate the excess friction that has caused the pedals to stick in rare instances.

Toyota Canada announced, on January 21, it was recalling approximately 270,000 Toyota vehicles equipped with a specific accelerator pedal assembly and suspending delivery of the eight models involved in the recall on January 26. The company also announced that Toyota would stop production of the affected models on North American production lines for the week of February 1 allowing the company to focus on fixing vehicles for customers whose models are involved in the recall.

Toyota vehicles affected by the recall and delivery suspension are:

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

No Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are affected by these actions. Also not affected are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Highlander hybrids and certain Camry models, including Camry hybrids.

Should a driver experience a sticking accelerator pedal while driving, the vehicle can be controlled with firm and steady application of the brakes. The brakes should not be pumped repeatedly because it could deplete vacuum assist, requiring stronger brake pedal pressure. The vehicle should be driven to the nearest safe location, the engine shut off and a Toyota dealer contacted for assistance. Although the accelerator pedal action may return to normal, NO further attempt to drive the vehicle should be made.

Information and answers to questions about issues related to this recall are available to customers at www.toyota.ca and at the Toyota Customer Interaction Centre at 1-888-TOYOTA-8.

How Toyota Will Fix Recalled Vehicles

Toyota has pinpointed the issue that could, on rare occasions, cause accelerator pedals in recalled vehicles to stick in a partially open position. The issue involves a friction device or lever, in conjunction with a spring in the accelerator pedal assembly, that is designed to help control the force necessary to depress the pedal and the return force necessary to release the pedal to allow for smooth operation of the accelerator pedal. Due to the materials used, wear and environmental conditions, surfaces may, over time, begin to stick and release instead of operating smoothly. In rare instances, the friction of the accelerator pedal may increase to a point where the accelerator pedal may become harder to depress, slower to return or, in the worst case, become stuck in a partially depressed position.

Toyota’s solution for current owners is simple, effective and quick to deploy. A precision-cut steel reinforcement bar will be installed into the assembly that will reduce the surface tension between the friction shoe and the adjoining surface. With this reinforcement in place, the excess friction that can cause the pedal to stick is eliminated. The company has confirmed the effectiveness of the newly modified pedals that had previously shown a tendency to stick.

As of October 26, 2009, Ontario’s new distracted driving law will make it illegal for motorists to use hand-held wireless communication devices or any hand-held electronic entertainment devices while driving.

This includes hand-held cell phones, texting and e-mailing.

Hands-free devices will still be permitted.

This new law also prohibits viewing a display screen unrelated to the driving task such as laptops or DVD players while driving.

HANDS-FREE DEVICES

The new law applies only to hand-held wireless communications and hand-held electronic entertainment devices.  This means drivers must only use wireless devices that can be used in a “hands-free” manner:

• a cell phone with an earpiece or headset using voice dialling, or plugged into the vehicle’s sound system

• a global positioning system (GPS) device that is properly secured to the dashboard or another accessible place in the vehicle

• a portable audio player that has been plugged into the vehicle’s sound system.

Some wireless devices require that users push a button to activate and/or deactivate the device’s “hands-free” function.  This activity is permitted under the law.

HAND-HELD DEVICES

All drivers

Drivers will not be permitted to use hand-held communication and entertainment devices when driving, with the following exceptions:

• Calling 9-1-1 in an emergency situation

• When the driver has safely pulled off the roadway and is stationary or is lawfully parked.

Other devices not included in the ban:

• Viewing a display screen used for collision avoidance systems

• Viewing a display screen of an instrument, gauge or system that provides information to the driver about the status of systems in the motor vehicle.

Emergency Response Personnel

Police, fire department and emergency medical services personnel will be permitted to use hand-held wireless communications devices and view display screens in the normal performance of their duties.

The use of hand-held radios by amateur radio operators (who provide assistance, especially in emergency situations such as severe storms and blackouts) will be phased out within three years, to allow hands-free technologies to be developed.

Commercial Drivers

A small percentage of drivers in transport-related industries (e.g., school buses, taxis, couriers) and public service workers (e.g., transit and highway maintenance workers) rely on the use of certain types of wireless devices and display screen technologies in the performance of day-to-day operations.

To help these businesses stay competitive, Ontario is granting a three-year phase-out period for the commercial use of two-way radios, including mobile and CB radios, to allow for hands-free technologies to be developed.

The new law will not affect mobile data terminals, logistical tracking devices and dispatching devices.  They will be exempt for commercial and public service vehicle drivers who are engaged in the performance of their duties.

Hand-mikes (push-to-talk systems) and portable radios (walkie-talkies) may be used in a hands-free mode.  This would mean the driver can use a lapel button or other hands-free application as long as the hand-mike or walkie-talkies is not held while driving.

November 19 2009 — Foss National Leasing successfully tested Driver Identification Number technology today on its Foss Fleet Management platform.  Foss is the first fleet management company in Canada to do so.  Secondary tests are commencing with its internal fleet cards over a broader range of locations across the country.  This new enhancement for our fleet management system provides a card that is harder to clone and reuse.  It also paves the way for pay at the pump with improved security and enhanced driver convenience in the future.  Foss expects to initiate client testing and launch in early December.

It has been an incredible 2009 so far in the automotive industry with inconceivably two of the “Big 3” going into and coming out of bankruptcy protection.  Purse strings are still fairly tight on the credit side restricting the way companies were used to doing business in the mid 2000’s. We have all had to change business practices over the past two years and I believe out of these changes will come obviously resilient but also more efficient organizations regardless of sector.

While most have been disgruntled by all the bad news others have been able to take advantage of some positives that are occurring during these tumultuous times including you the customer. Because of the shortage of vehicles both in new and used and the fact that consumers are still uncomfortable with the state of the economy, those looking to replace or just purchase, for the most part are leaning towards used to save some money. Although most dealers have cut back on the amount of inventory they carry, they still need to have some around for potential retail sales and that is why the auction conversion rates and prices have been the highest we have seen consistently in decades. As we speak, there simply are not enough decent vehicles around to meet the consumer demand.

Now we need to realize that we are not out of the woods yet as the prices are only up slightly from where they were a year ago at this time and nowhere near where they were two to three years ago but prices are up none the less. The more surprising thing to me, and most others involved in remarketing is that the prices have remained high all year long. The volumes that were expected to hit the market have not (but we hear they are coming) which has contributed to a greater demand than supply driving prices up.

To illustrate, the auctions conversion rate (nationally) is at 82% as of June 30^th compared to 74% at this time last year. The Foss numbers show even more improvement, as we are just under 70% compared to a disappointing 55% one year ago. Even more impressive is the fact that our average km’s on units sold has increased but so has our return by over 5% over our 2008’s numbers. In other words we are selling higher mileage vehicles for more money this year.

After the first half of the year Foss National Leasing is converting at a 3.5% higher rate than our immediate competition as well, our average return rate (or sale price) is 10% higher than the competition even with an average of 20,000 km’s more per vehicle. These statistics can be attributed directly to us supplying maintenance and vehicle history reports. We have preached for years that the dealers will pay a more if they know what they are getting and here is the proof.

That leads me to another very important topic, which is the issue of the changes in the Ontario Motor Vehicle Dealers Act (M.V.D.A) that was to become official this past April but has been extended to January 1, 2010. In a nutshell changes that will affect us all is FULL DISCLOSURE on all units sold. I have supplied O.M.V.I.C.’s  web address (www.omvic.on.ca) for those of you who want to learn more. We also hope to have a session in which you, the clients can attend and ask questions that pertain to your fleet.

While the combination of our maintenance history reports and CarProof vehicle history reports will capture most occurrences while the vehicle is in your driver’s care it does not capture all accidents or repairs done to the vehicle. It is imperative that you educate your drivers to report ALL incidents to you so that you can inform us to declare upon disposal or we expose you and ourselves to a time consuming, very costly procedure of recourse. If the undeclared incident can be proven that it occurred during the term of the lease the vehicle will come back to us having to resell possibly costing your company thousands of dollars! I can’t stress enough the importance of beginning to train your drivers to report EVERYTHING to you and this information needs to be passed on to Foss National Leasing as we will not be held liable nor will we incur any costs involved in transaction recourse for non disclosure issues.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and unlike the temperature so far, let’s hope that the conversion rates and prices remain high.

Again, I invite you to contact me directly with any questions, cares or concerns regarding the above or any remarketing issues that you may have.

Regards,

Todd Ritza

Vehicle Remarketing Manager

Foss National Leasing

tritza@fossnational.com

905-709-7686

À ce jour, l’année 2009 aura été déconcertante pour l’industrie de l’automobile, et ce, plus particulièrement pour deux fabricants de premier plan (sur trois). Ces deux constructeurs se sont placés sous la Loi de la protection de la faillite et elles ont réussi à s’en sortir. Toutefois, les cordons de la bourse sont toujours relativement serrés en ce qui touche le crédit commercial, de sorte que les compagnies sont de plus en plus restreintes dans leurs habitudes d’affaires comparativement au milieu des années 2000. Nous avons tous eu à modifier nos pratiques d’affaires au cours des deux dernières années et je crois que ces changements nous conduiront vers des entreprises solides et beaucoup plus efficaces, peu importe le secteur d’activité.

Pendant que la majorité des gens étaient exaspérés par toutes ces mauvaises nouvelles, d’autres ont su profiter de certains aspects positifs qui se sont offerts à eux au cours de cette période tumultueuse, dont vous le consommateur. En raison de la pénurie de véhicules neufs ou d’occasion, et le fait que les clients sont toujours inquiets par la conjoncture économique, ceux qui cherchaient à remplacer ou acquérir un véhicule se sont plutôt dirigés vers le marché des véhicules d’occasion par souci d’économie.

Bien que la plupart des concessionnaires avaient un inventaire non négligeable à supporter, ils ont dû réduire le nombre de véhicules qu’ils avaient à offrir destinés à la vente au détail. Ceci a eu pour effet de provoquer une augmentation des prix (ainsi que les taux de conversion) ce que nous n’avions pas vu depuis des décennies. Actuellement, il n’y a pas assez de véhicules convenables pour répondre aux exigences des consommateurs.

Nous devons prendre conscience du fait que nous ne sommes pas encore sortis du bois, car les prix ont légèrement augmenté comparativement à la même période de l’an passé et très lointain de ce qu’ils étaient, 2 à 3 ans auparavant. Néanmoins, les prix sont plus élevés.

Le plus surprenant pour moi, ainsi que les gens impliqués dans le milieu de la mise en marché de véhicules d’occasion, c’est que les prix sont demeurés élevés durant toute l’année. Le volume de retour que nous attendions sur le marché ne s’est pas concrétisé (bien que plusieurs croient que nous verrons une augmentation substantielle prochainement) ce qui a contribué à un accroissement des demandes, et une augmentation des prix.

À titre d’exemple, le taux de conversion des ventes aux enchères (au niveau national) est à 82 % depuis le 30 juin, comparativement à 74 % l’an dernier. Les résultats de Foss démontrent une nette amélioration, car nous sommes légèrement sous les 70 % comparativement à un décevant 55 % il y a un an. Encore plus impressionnant, s’est le fait que le kilométrage moyen des unités vendues a augmenté, tout en nous permettant d’accroître notre profit de 5 % par rapport à 2008. En d’autres mots, cette année, nous vendons des véhicules avec un kilométrage plus élevé en réalisant un rendement supérieur.

Après la première moitié de l’année le taux de conversion de Foss National Leasing est de 3,5 % plus élevé que nos concurrents immédiats, de plus, notre taux de rendement moyen (ou prix de vente) est de 10 % supérieur à la concurrence, même avec une moyenne de 20,000 km de plus par véhicule. Ces statistiques peuvent être reliées directement du fait que nous sommes en mesure de produire des rapports d’entretien ainsi que l’historique d’un véhicule. Nous avons prôné pendant des années que les concessionnaires accepteraient de payer davantage s’ils savaient ce qu’ils achètent.  En voici la preuve.

Cela m’amène à un autre sujet de grande importance soit les modifications proposées par le Ontario Motor Vehicle Dealers Act (MVDA) qui devaient être officialisées au mois d’avril dernier, mais qui ont été reportées au 1er janvier 2010. Ces changements conseillés nous affecteront tous et plus particulièrement la DIVULGATION D’INFORMATION COMPLÈTE sur tous les véhicules vendus. Pour plus de renseignements, nous vous invitons à visiter le site Internet suivant (www.omvic.on.ca). Nous espérons organiser prochainement une séance d’information dont votre participation sera grandement sollicitée. Vous pourrez profiter de ce moment pour nous adresser toute question reliée à votre parc automobile.

Bien que la combinaison de notre historique d’entretien en collaboration  avec l’historique du véhicule fourni par CarProof indique la majorité des occurrences au cours de la période où le véhicule se retrouvait entre les mains de votre conducteur, il arrive de temps à autre que ces historiques ne contiennent pas toute l’information se rapportant aux accidents ou réparations effectuées sur le véhicule.

Il est impératif que vos conducteurs soient avisés de continuellement vous signaler un accident ou réparation effectués au véhicule, et ce, en tout temps.  Nous devons déclarer ces incidents lors de la cession de l’automobile sans quoi vous vous exposerez à une situation périlleuse en plus des recours interminables et coûteux. Si l’on démontre qu’il y a eu un incident non déclaré pendant les termes de location du véhicule, alors le véhicule nous sera réacheminé pour la revente ce qui risquerait de vous coûter des milliers de dollars.

Je ne peux insister assez sur l’importance de former vos conducteurs de façon à ce qu’ils vous rapportent obligatoirement TOUT incident qui en contrepartie doit être transmise à Foss National Leasing.  Nous n’accepterons aucunement d’être tenus responsables d’une fausse déclaration et nous n’assumerons aucun coût relié aux recours possibles engendré par ce genre de situation.

Profitez bien du reste de votre été et, contrairement à la température jusqu’à présent, espérons que le taux de conversion et les prix demeureront élevés.

À nouveau, je vous invite à communiquer avec moi directement afin que je puisse répondre à vos questions ou inquiétudes concernant les points susmentionnés ou encore tout problème de mise en marché de vos véhicules d’occasion.

Todd Ritza

Vehicle Remarketing Manager

Foss National Leasing

tritza@fossnational.com

905-709-7686

Les ceintures de sécurité doivent être portées correctement pour être efficaces. Il va de soi pour les sièges de sécurité pour enfants qui doivent être installés correctement.

Comment porter la ceinture de sécurité correctement

• Boucler la ceinture de sécurité, en s’assurant que l’attache est bien emboîtée.
• Si le véhicule est muni d’une ceinture épaulière réglable en hauteur, il faut la régler pour qu’elle passe par-dessus l’épaule et colle à la poitrine.
• Toute ceinture de sécurité doit être portée et réglée correctement selon les directives du guide de l’utilisateur.
• Suivre les directives du fabricant en tout temps lors de l’installation d’un appareil de retenue pour enfant.

Ports fautifs courants de la ceinture de sécurité

• Si la ceinture abdominale passe par-dessus le ventre au lieu des hanches, les organes mous peuvent être sérieusement atteints.
• Une ceinture épaulière qui passe en-dessous du bras permettra un mouvement excessif de la tête et de la poitrine. Ceci peut causer des blessures par contact du corps avec l’intérieur du véhicule.
• Si on laisse du jeu à une ceinture abdominale ou épaulière, le corps peut subir un impact à l’intérieur du véhicule. De plus, ce mauvais ajustement peut permettre au corps de glisser sous la ceinture. Ceci causera la cavité abdominale à absorber le coup plutôt que le bassin.

Les ceintures de sécurité ne sont pas toutes pareilles; il faut toujours déterminer comment les porter correctement avant de prendre la route. Ce petit cinq minutes pourrait finir par sauver la vie.

Sources:

http://www.canadian-health-network.ca/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1001975&pagename=CHN-RCS%2FCHNResource%2FFAQCHNResourceTemplate&lang=En&c=CHNResource

http://www.gov.ns.ca/tran/highwayops/seatbelt.asp

http://www.carsp.ca/belt_use.htm

In order for seat belts to work, they must be worn correctly. The same goes for child seats, which should be installed correctly.

Proper use of seat belt

• Buckle the seat belt, making sure that the latch clicks firmly into place.
• If your vehicle has an adjustable shoulder belt anchorage, make sure that it fits snugly across your chest and over the shoulder.
• Seat belts should be worn and properly adjusted as described in the owner’s manual.
• When installing child passenger restraints, follow manufacturer’s instructions at all times.

Common types of seat belt misuse

• Placing the lap belt across the abdomen, instead of low across the hips can result in serious injuries to the abdominal organs.
• Placing the shoulder belt underneath the arm allows excessive forward motion of the head and chest. This can result in injury from bodily contact with the vehicle interior.
• Wearing the lap belt or shoulder belt loosely can result in bodily impact with the vehicle interior. This may also cause the vehicle occupant to slip under the lap belt. As a result, the force will be applied to the abdomen, instead of the pelvis.

Not all seat belts are alike; make sure to familiarize yourself on how to use them properly before driving off. This could be the five minutes that could save your life.

Sources:

http://www.canadian-health-network.ca/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1001975&pagename=CHN-RCS%2FCHNResource%2FFAQCHNResourceTemplate&lang=En&c=CHNResource

http://www.gov.ns.ca/tran/highwayops/seatbelt.asp

http://www.carsp.ca/belt_use.htm

The new device is a mobile transponder reader that: About a year ago, the OPP began piloting the mobile transponder reader on 407 ETR and have now completed their testing. When operated, the mobile transponder reader allows the OPP officer to detect whether a vehicle is driving on 407 ETR with a valid transponder. The pilot program focused on testing the device for accuracy, its reliability and suitability for toll enforcement purposes, health and safety of the OPP officer, and to ensure that the device wouldn’t interfere with other cruiser equipment. “The pilot program was very successful,” said OPP Staff Sergeant Ed Hickey, 407 Detachment, Highway Safety Division. “The officers involved in the testing of the mobile transponder reader were pleased with the results, as far as its accuracy and reliability. The officers have been trained and are ready to use this new enforcement tool.

The device allows theofficers to safely enforce sections of the Highway Traffic Act with respect to toll highways, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” said Staff Sergeant Hickey. “The mobile transponder reader will allow for more effective toll highway violation enforcement, and it also has the ability to detect whether a transponder has been reported stolen,” said Imad Nassereddine, 407 ETR’s Chief Traffic Operations Officer. “At 407 ETR, we are always looking for advancements in tolling technology and are happy that the OPP is bringing toll enforcement along the highway to a new level.

“407 ETR is a state-of-the-art electronic toll highway, so it makes sense to have enforcement tools to match,” added Nassereddine. Consists of three components: 1. An antenna which is mounted on the right side of the OPP cruiser and points to the right; 2. The reader, which is a small box located in the trunk of the cruiser; and 3. A display unit which is mounted inside the cruiser.

Voici quelques conseils pour les automobilistes qui partagent la route avec les cyclistes :

Connaître les règles générales

• Céder le passage aux cyclistes tout comme à tout autre véhicule.
• Savoir que les cyclistes ne sont pas toujours tenus de garder la droite. Par exemple, afin de virer à gauche, ils doivent emprunter la voie de gauche.
• Tenir compte des bandes cyclables.

Savoir communiquer avec les cyclistes

• Savoir interpréter la signalisation à bras : virage à droite – le cycliste étend complètement son bras droit ou étend son bras gauche en pliant le coude vers le ciel; virage à gauche – bras gauche étendu complètement; arrêt – bras gauche étendu, le coude plié vers le sol, avec la paume vers l’arrière.
• Chercher le regard, si possible. Souvent, les cyclistes se fient au regard comme moyen de communication.
• Éviter de klaxonner. Ceci ne fait que surprendre un cycliste pouvant causer sa chute.

Pour dépasser un cycliste

• Ne pas dépasser de trop près.
• Les cyclistes ont besoin d’une aire de manoeuvre, donc il faut toujours laisser un mètre de distance entre soi-même et le cycliste.

En ouvrant la portière

• Avant de descendre de la voiture, vérifier s’il y a des cyclistes aux alentours. Avertir les passagers de vérifier aussi.
• Ne pas tenir la portière ouverte pour une période de temps.

Lors d’un virage

• Toujours vérifier les angles morts lors d’un virage.
• Avant de virer à gauche, vérifier attentivement l’approche de cyclistes.
• En traversant une intersection, prendre garde à tout cycliste qui se prépare à virer à gauche.
• Se servir des clignotants en tout temps.

Donc, la sensibilisation est la clé du succès dans le partage de la route avec les cyclistes. Plus on se concentre sur la route, plus on évitera le malheur d’une collision. Soyez sécuritaire.

Sources:

http://ottawa.ca/residents/onthemove/driving/road_safety/motorists/respect_ped_cyc_en.html

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/road-user-safety/features/cyclists.html

http://www.toronto.ca/fleet/sb_cycling.htm

http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/health/living/injury_prevention/road_safety/share_en.html

Below are some tips on how motorists can share the road with cyclists:

Know the rules

• Yield to cyclists as you would to any other vehicle.
• Be aware that cyclists don’t always have to stay on the right. For example, to make a left turn, they need to cross over into the left lane.
• Pay attention to bicycle lanes.

Communicate with the cyclists

• Understand the hand signals cyclists use: right turn – cyclist extends the right arm straight out, or left arm out and up; left turn – left arm out; stop – left arm out, down, palm back.
• Make eye contact if you can. Cyclists often rely on eye contact as a means of communication.
• Avoid honking your horn. This only startles the cyclists which may cause them to fall.

Passing a cyclist

• Do not pass too closely.
• Cyclists need room to maneuver, always allow one metre between the cyclists and your vehicle.

Opening your door

• Make sure to check for any cyclists around you before exiting your vehicle. Remind your passengers to do the same.
• Do not leave your door open for any length of time.

Turning

• Always check your blind spots when turning.
• Before making a left turn, check carefully for oncoming cyclists.
• If driving straight through an intersection, watch out for cyclists waiting to turn left.
• Use your indicator at all times.
  
  

Remember, the key to sharing the road with cyclists is awareness. The more focused you are on the road, the less chance there is of being involved in a collision. Be safe.

Sources:

http://ottawa.ca/residents/onthemove/driving/road_safety/motorists/respect_ped_cyc_en.html

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/road-user-safety/features/cyclists.html

http://www.toronto.ca/fleet/sb_cycling.htm

http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/health/living/injury_prevention/road_safety/share_en.html