According to Automotive News, Toyota has identified a fix for the most recent sudden acceleration problem which caused the auto maker to cease production and sale of many of its models. The supplier of the affected parts, CTS, is said to be ready to begin shipping replacement parts but it will take some time to make enough for the millions of cars that could be affected. A source indicated that the volume is more than CTS produces in a year.

Once the replacement parts are available, they will have to be installed in the affected vehicles, including those at factories, in transit, in dealer inventory and those in the hands of owners, all of which will take even more time. Toyota announced that it will suspend production for one week beginning February 1st at factories in Kentucky, Indiana, Texas and in Canada while it waits for parts to begin filling the supply line.

--M.D.