Automaker claims throttle safe

Toyota Motor Corp has told Congress that it does not believe there are any problems with electronic throttle control systems in its Toyota and Lexus models.

The automaker also said in a letter to the US House of Representatives Oversight and Government Committee, dated February 9 but made public on Friday, that it would consider expanding brake override technology to older models to ensure that braking trumps acceleration in an any emergency.

Toyota has been reeling from separate recalls involving millions of vehicles and questions about its response over the years to consumer complaints regarding unintended acceleration.

Congressional committees are looking into those issues and want answers from both Toyota and safety regulators about their handling of the matter.

"Toyota's design process is exhaustive and robust. Toyota does not believe there are any problems with the electronics of its vehicles," said the company.

"Toyota has built-in redundancies to the system and fail safe modes that allow Toyota to say with confidence that the (electronic throttle system) is not the cause of unintended or unwanted acceleration," it said.

The manufacturer also said it recently commissioned an independent engineering study that found its electronic throttle systems performing as designed with no problems.

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