CNN 2010-02-09

The Toyota tribulations¹. If you own one, you almost have to be wondering, what the heck is next? Crisis of confidence clouded by confusion. Now the Prius has a huge problem.

Toyota says that a glitch² in the electronic brakes could cause a delay when you step on the pedal. They say it only affects 2010 models sold last year. And it's those very same cars that are being credited with Toyota's cash cow.

New numbers just out say they made $1.7 billion last quarter, but it won't last for long. For the first time, Toyota is admitting it's going to take a huge beating due to this gas pedal nightmare. $2 billion for repairs and lost sales.

But those are just numbers. What about the people who plunked down 30 grand of their hard-earned money for something that they're now afraid to drive?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LAURA PAULSON, TOYOTA CUSTOMER: I felt it took off like a rocket, and I immediately hit the brakes hard, and I was laying out, stretched out on the breaks, which had no effect.

They're recalling the -- throttle³ and the accelerator mechanism⁴ but I -- and floor mats, but I don't believe that's the problem.

We feel it's an unsafe vehicle. It's a loaded gun. It can happen anytime. We just don't feel comfortable in it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Again, eight Toyota models recalled so far for sticky gas pedals. Millions of cars. It's unknown just how many accidents were caused by the pedal problem. Not surprisingly Toyota says they're still safe to drive.

Well, making things worse and adding to the confusion, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Capitol Hill -- he was asked his advice for Toyota drivers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RAY LAHOOD, TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: My advice is if anybody owns one of these vehicles, stop driving it, take it to a Toyota dealer⁵, because they believe they have a fix for it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Did he really say that? Stop driving your Toyota right now? Basically telling millions of people to get right to their dealers⁶ because Toyota thinks they can fix it?

Well, with some time to ponder the point, would LaHood stand by his statement? No.
 

1 tribulations   

n.苦难( tribulation的名词复数 )；艰难；苦难的缘由；痛苦

参考例句：

• the tribulations of modern life 现代生活的苦恼
• The film is about the trials and tribulations of adolescence. 这部电影讲述了青春期的麻烦和苦恼。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 glitch   

n.干扰；误操作，小故障

参考例句：

• There is a glitch in the computer program somewhere.这个计算机程序中的某个部分有点小问题。
• It could just be a random glitch that can be solved by restarting the machine.可能只是一个小故障，重新启动主机就能解决了。

3 throttle   

n.节流阀，节气阀，喉咙；v.扼喉咙，使窒息，压

参考例句：

• These government restrictions are going to throttle our trade.这些政府的限制将要扼杀我们的贸易。
• High tariffs throttle trade between countries.高的关税抑制了国与国之间的贸易。

4 mechanism   

n.机械装置；机构，结构

参考例句：

• The bones and muscles are parts of the mechanism of the body.骨骼和肌肉是人体的组成部件。
• The mechanism of the machine is very complicated.这台机器的结构是非常复杂的。

5 dealer   

n.商人，贩子

参考例句：

• The dealer spent hours bargaining for the painting.那个商人为购买那幅画花了几个小时讨价还价。
• The dealer reduced the price for cash down.这家商店对付现金的人减价优惠。

6 dealers   

n.商人( dealer的名词复数 )；贩毒者；毒品贩子；发牌者

参考例句：

• There was fast bidding between private collectors and dealers. 私人收藏家和交易商急速竞相喊价。
• The police were corrupt and were operating in collusion with the drug dealers. 警察腐败，与那伙毒品贩子内外勾结。