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| A port worker inspects newly arrived Japanese made Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs at the port of Manila April 14, 2010. REUTERS/Erik de Castro |
Japanese automaker Toyota suspended sales of the Lexus GX 460 sport utility vehicle worldwide Thursday, one day after halting deliveries in North America due to a roll-over risk.
"The company has decided to suspend the SUV's sales worldwide, which means also in Russia and Middle East after North America," said Toyota spokeswoman Mieko Iwasaki, in reference to the other markets where the vehicle is sold.
Toyota suspended the sales of the GX in the United States and Canada after US magazine Consumer Reports gave the SUV a rare "Don't Buy: Safety Risk" rating, the latest blow to the reputation of the embattled Japanese auto giant.
When pushed to its limits, the rear of the GX "slid out until the vehicle was almost sideways before the electronic stability control system was able to regain control," the magazine said.
Having now suspended the SUV's sales worldwide, Toyota said it will work on analysing potential safety risks in the model which has sold 6,000 units.
"The company is examining the possible problem and will decide what remedies should be taken," Iwasaki said.
Toyota also said Thursday that it will test all its sports utility vehicles for safety after suspending sales of the Lexus GX 460 SUV worldwide due to a roll-over risk.
"The company will start testing all the other SUV models, including the Land Cruiser, Land Cruiser Prado and Rav4," said Toyota spokeswoman Mieko Iwasaki, adding that the company will continue to sell those models.
