Edmunds.com Comments on Latest Toyota Recall

Edmunds.com Comments on Latest Toyota Recall

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- October 21, 2010 -- Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information, offers the following in response to the Toyota recall announced today described at http://news.google.com/news/search?cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=edmunds.com&cf=all&scoring=d.

From Edmunds.com Senior Analyst Jessica Caldwell: "Toyota has still not fully recovered from the damage done to its brand recently. On Edmunds.com, about 13.8 percent of site visitors research Toyotas now - down from 16.1 percent in the same period last year."

From Edmunds.com Senior Analyst Michelle Krebs: "Given the dramatic recall story that unfolded early this year, Toyota and other automakers are getting out in front of quality issues with recalls earlier in the process, not wanting to be accused of foot-dragging again. As a result 2010 is proving to be a big recall year."

From Edmunds.com Analyst Panee Segal: "At the height of the Toyota recall frenzy, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration complaint database received nearly 7,900 submissions in a month - more than five times its usual volume. All the media activity raised drivers' consciousness of problems and of their ability to report problems when they occur. All automakers have received an increased number of complaints for all types of problems with their cars."

From Edmunds.com Senior Consumer Advice Editor Philip Reed: "Consumers should always pay close attention to any recall notice they receive. If an automaker is telling you something needs to be repaired or replaced on your car, prioritize it. You'll never regret the decision to take care of a recall, but the opposite might not be true."

Consumers can learn more about recalls, as well as service and maintenance requirements for their vehicles, at the Edmunds.com Maintenance Guide at http://www.edmunds.com/car-maintenance/guide-page.html.

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Edmunds.com publishes four Web sites that empower, engage and educate automotive consumers, enthusiasts and insiders. Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information, launched in 1995 as the first automotive information Web site. Its mobile site, accessible from any smartphone at www.edmunds.com, makes car pricing and other research tools available for car shoppers at dealerships and otherwise on the go. InsideLine.com is the most-read automotive enthusiast Web site. Its mobile site, accessible from any smartphone at www.insideline.com, features the wireless Web's highest quality car photos and videos. CarSpace is the most established automotive social networking Web site. AutoObserver.com provides insightful automotive industry commentary and analysis. Edmunds is headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and maintains a satellite office in suburban Detroit. Follow Edmunds.com on Twitter@edmunds and fan Edmunds.com on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/edmunds.