PhillyCarShare only has older model Priuses in its fleet. Metro: File Photo
Recall update
There were mixed reports over whether the Prius was going to be part of a recall by Toyota on Thursday. A report from a Japanese newspaper said Toyota will issue a recall of its latest generation Prius due to a problem with the brake pedal, but Toyota has not confirmed the reports and only said that recall is “an option.” The U.S. Department of Transportation announced a formal investigation into faulty brakes on the 2010 Prius. $2 billion: estimated loss in sales and repairs from both recalls, according to some industry observers.
PHILADELPHIA. With Prius owners joining their fellow Toyota owners on alert for possible pedal problems, the city’s two car share operators are assuring customers they have nothing to worry about.
Neither Zipcar nor PhillyCarShare have any 2010 Priuses, although both have pulled a small number of cars that were listed on Toyota’s massive recall last week. Jerry Furgione, executive director of PCS, said the growing list of troubled cars are a concern.
“We wish there were some more transparency so we could know exactly what we’re dealing with,” he said. “I hope that the worst is over with this, but you don’t know in a situation like this because everyday it seems like something new comes up.”
PCS does offer earlier model Priuses, but Furgione said he’s not concerned customer fear will decrease reservations of the hybrid.
Meanwhile, consumer experts believe the fallout should be short lived.
“I think there’s definitely going to be a temporary effect,” said Ram Gopalan, a marketing professor at Temple’s Fox School of Business. “Maybe rental car companies will not be able to use this particular brand of cars [but] I think this kind of blemish will disappear soon and everything will be back to normal in a few months or so.”
