Toyota issues a major recall for the Sienna Hybrid in the US
Porsche unveils its quarterly results: profits rise again thanks to a focus on margins and 911 sales
Toyota has been forced to launch a recall campaign in the US market, affecting 228,367 vehicles, due to seatbacks that may not remain locked in the event of a crash. The report comes directly from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Specifically, the recall involves certain Toyota Sienna Hybrid vehicles manufactured between 2022 and 2026. The NHTSA has explained that, in certain frontal impacts, the force of the collision could disengage the seatback from its locked position. Consequently, the seat would be unable to properly restrain passengers, increasing the risk of injury. In recent months, Toyota itself has been at the centre of two other major recall campaigns relating to the Camry Hybrid and Highlander models, both affecting around half a million vehicles (the first due to a software fault, the second due to a problem with the anchoring of the second-row seats).
More recently, it was Volkswagen that announced a recall campaign involving over 70,000 electric cars (certain models of the ID.3, ID.4, ID.7 and ID.Buzz, as well as the Cupra Born) due to battery-related issues. Just yesterday, the German group published the quarterly results of its subsidiary Porsche, which recorded a rebound in profits in the first nine months of the year (despite the continuing decline in sales).
At the start of the month, the new CEO, Michael Leiters, outlined his strategy to investors: it envisages greater customisation and exclusive, higher-margin models, which will reduce the size of the group (the role of the Chinese market is expected to be scaled back) but should boost its profits. The results show a 12 per cent increase in sales of the 911, the only model in the Porsche range to have seen sales growth in the first nine months of the year.
“We are implementing our strategic realignment consistently and at a rapid pace. Our focus is on our core business, a competitive cost structure and a sustainable increase in our profitability,” said Leiters.
Operating profit for the first nine months, amounting to €1.74 billion, follows the weak result of €40 million recorded the previous year, when the car manufacturer was hit by a rise in costs largely linked to the suspension of its electrification strategy.
