Toyota’s Issues May Drive Change in U.S. Brake Standards

February wasn’t a good month for Toyota, what with the fallout from the automaker’s recent recall, but Toyota’s pain may lead to a gain for U.S. drivers, in the form of a potential requirement for automobiles to include a brake override system.  —KA

The New York Times:

The Obama administration is considering requiring all automobiles to contain a brake override system intended to prevent sudden acceleration episodes like those that have led to the recall of millions of Toyotas, the Transportation secretary, Ray LaHood, said Tuesday.

“We’re looking at it,” Mr. LaHood said. “We think it is a good safety device, and we’re trying to figure out if we should be recommending it.”

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Flickr / Thom Watson

February sales figures for the Prius, shown here, represented the only bright spot for Toyota’s month, according to MarketWatch.