By Jane Han
Staff Reporter
Before Toyota's recall fiasco broke out last month, a prospective Camry buyer in Korea had to wait until August at the earliest to get a hold of the new sedan. Now, you can be cruising in one by April or May, local dealers say.
Toyota Motor Korea declined to give the exact number of cancellations occurring in the wake of the carmaker's biggest-ever recall affecting millions of cars worldwide.
But the company, which enjoyed immediate popularity after launching here in October, is apparently reeling from both falling sales and a major blow to its PR.
According to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association, local sales of Toyota vehicles fell sharply as the Japanese auto giant sold 441 vehicles in January, down more than 33 percent from the 660 sold in December.
The company currently sells its flagship Camry sedans, RAV4 sport utility vehicles and Prius hybrids on the Korean market.
The luxury Lexus brand also suffered a drop last month, according to the data, with sales plunging 37 percent from the previous month to 320.
Officials of Toyota Motor Korea and the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs clarified earlier this week that the carmaker's latest recall does not affect more than 19,000 vehicles imported and sold by Toyota's Korean unit.
But the faulty gas pedal still seems to have spooked local consumers.
``Why take even the slightest bit of risk?'' wrote a netizen with the ID ``Miya'' on the Camry Club forum online. ``It's better to wait until the situation gets sorted out further or opt for a different car.''
Other bloggers raised concerns over similar reasons despite the fact that units sold locally did not use the type of accelerator pedal or floor mat covered by the massive recall.
The land ministry, however, did order Toyota to recall on Wednesday 444 vehicles sold by gray importers or brought in by individuals, due to defective gas pedals and floor mats.
Toyota Motor Korea officials weren't immediately available for comment.
Market experts say the recall fiasco is likely to continue dogging the Japanese firm's performance here as long as the media frenzy stays strong.
``Korean consumers are extremely sensitive to media coverage,'' said an official of an auto trade group, ``so no matter how much emphasis is put on locally imported vehicles being safe, people will be skeptical.''