TORRANCE, Calif., Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Consumer awareness of the problems at Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Co. has reached 79 percent, a marketing research firm said.
Ted Marzilli, senior vice president of YouGovPolimetrix, said awareness among U.S consumers of Toyota's massive vehicle recalls "is one of the highest levels in our experience."
YouGovPolimetrix conducts a daily BrandIndex survey of 5,000 consumers, the Detroit Free Press reported Monday.
While awareness is high, Toyota still faces congressional hearings on the issues that include two massive recalls, one announced in October for gas pedals becoming entangled with floor mats and one in January for "sticking gas pedals" that allegedly allowed some Toyotas to race out of control.
"They're having a hard time getting this behind them," said Marzilli, who estimated it would take six months for Toyota to turn the negative publicity around.
Toyota is scheduled to resume production in U.S. factories that suspended work Jan. 26 until the sticking gas pedal issue could be resolved.
"Toyota's situation needs to be remedied quickly and without future recalls. If they do, then it should have minimal impact to perceived quality," said ALG Chief Economist Matt Traylen.
