Feds Say NY Prius Brakes Not Applied; Toyota Seeks Apology From ABC News

1. NHTSA: ‘No Application of the Brakes’ in New York Prius Incident

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a statement Thursday regarding its investigation of the Prius involved in a widely reported incident in Harrison, N.Y., last week. “Information retrieved from the vehicle's onboard computer systems indicated there was no application of the brakes and the throttle was fully open,” NHTSA said.

The driver of the Prius said the car accelerated as she drove down a driveway, crossed a street and hit a wall March 9. The local police department’s investigation is continuing.

2. Toyota Calls for Apology from ABC News In a letter sent to ABC News last week, Toyota called on the network to retract and apologize for an “irresponsible” broadcast by reporter Brian Ross on Feb. 22. The letter, which received widespread media coverage today and Thursday, accused ABC News of misleading the public and Congress in its “demonstration” of “unintended acceleration” in a Toyota Avalon by Southern Illinois University professor David Gilbert.

Specifically, the letter said Ross and his crew “fabricated a dramatized sequence of the vehicle allegedly speeding out of control with Mr. Ross at the wheel using video of the tachometer filmed when the car was standing still.” Ross also failed to disclose that Gilbert’s work was financed by Sean Kane, a paid advocate for trial lawyers involved in litigation against Toyota.

“ABC News chose fear mongering over public service,” Toyota noted in the letter.

In its response Thursday, ABC News said it was “legitimate and newsworthy” for Ross to report on Gilbert’s tests and claims. The letter also stated that ABC News will continue to cover issues surrounding reports of unintended acceleration.

Gawker.com has posted a story about the issue, along with Toyota’s letter to ABC News and ABC News’ response. To read the story and letters, click on: http://gawker.com/5496549/toyota-demands-retraction-and-apology-from-abc-news-over-manufactured-death-ride.

3. Recalls 101 Many of you are getting questions about Toyota’s recalls from relatives, friends and customers. To help you provide accurate information, frequently asked questions about the recalls are posted on www.toyotanewsroom.com.