Nairobi taxi firm yet to find fault with Toyota Prius

A Nairobi taxi and car hire firm that operates the Toyota Prius hybrid models that have been recalled worldwide says it will not return the cars because no braking defects have been detected.

Eco Cabs managing director Janet Oben says they imported the cars from the troubled car maker’s base in Japan a year ago when the cab company started operations but have not detected any malfunctioning brakes.

“We are not affected by the recall because we have not experienced the braking problems,” said Ms Oben adding that Eco Cabs fleet includes the first and second generation Toyota Prius Hybrid models while the recalled models include the third generation cars released to the market in 2010.

Eco Cabs runs 11 Prius hybrid cars said to be fuel-efficient as they operate a dual engine system combining fuel and battery power.

The taxi company says the cost for running the hybrid cars are lower compared to others since it has been able to save on 60 per cent of fuel while operating the Prius cars.

According to Toyota, the cars produce 60 per cent less emissions compared to other vehicles with the same engine size thereby having less negative impact on environment.

The cabs are targeted at the increasing number of organisations and companies that are interested in using green services for their executives and staff.

The Prius hybrid model is the world’s top-selling fuel-electric hybrid and its fuel efficiency has drawn intense interest amid concerns about global warming and dependence on fossil fuels.

Eco Cabs says it launched the hybrid cars in Nairobi in 2009 to showcase the concept of green transport and to inspire other businesses to make a meaningful transformation towards greener processes.

The cab company, operating only in Nairobi, plans to expand services to other cities in Kenya using the same car models but the recall by Toyota could damage this ambition.

Toyota is to recall about 400,000 Prius and other hybrids worldwide for braking problems, Toyota President Akio Toyoda said on Monday.

“This recall will involve 400,000 vehicles of four models,” Toyoda said.

The company formally filed with the Japanese transport ministry for a recall of 223,068 vehicles in Japan, mostly the latest model of its Prius hybrid, to fix brake problems.

Toyoda explained at the press conference there was a problem with the computer programme in the ABS braking system.

The problem has led to nearly 100 complaints in Japan. 

The recall is the latest blow to the troubled car maker following investigations launched by the US safety officials into reported delays in activating the brakes.

The company said more than 436,000 vehicles could be affected but Toyota East Africa Limited — the company’s local outlet — said Prius models in Kenya may not be affected by the recall.

Latest scare

Toyota said it informed the Japanese Transport Ministry that recalled the third generation remodelled 2010 Prius gas-electric hybrid that went on sale last year.

The recall was initially made for 170,000 cars in Japan, but is likely to be widened to include models sold around the world.

Also being recalled are two other hybrid models – the Lexus HS250h sedan.

“I’m confident that we do not have these particular Prius hybrid models in Kenya yet but if a customer has already imported such models then we are ready to help sort out the braking problems,” said Benda Kithaka, the marketing manager at Toyota East Africa Limited.

Even though the recall of the Prius hybrid model presents the latest scare to Toyota which is already trying to repair defaults in millions of its cars recalled for mechanical problems such as sticky accelerator pedals, Toyota East Africa Limited says it has not recorded any cases of malfunctioning of cars sold in Kenya or region.

“We have a long term plan to distribute the Prius hybrid models through our Nairobi outlet but for now we have not brought in any such models” said Ms Benda Kithaka, the marketing manager at Toyota East Africa Limited.

The company said its technicians we ready to assist any Toyota car owners in east Africa who have experienced any mechanical problems with their cars.

“Not all Toyota cars have defects but even the affected models are from specific manufacturing lines and it depends on which year the cars were manufactured” Ms Kithaka said and added that the company has had to open a telephone hot-line for customers who have been seeking information so as to avoid panic in the market.

Toyota has been grappling with potentially damaging recalls and lawsuits since the beginning of the year.

Several deaths have been recorded in some Toyota car models said to have developed sudden acceleration throwing the company into possible lawsuits and compensation claims from customers.