With the seemingly endless recall notices from Toyota over the past week, the automaker has decided to send out a list of Top 10 questions an answers that its customers might have. We’ve tried to answer many of them through several articles all week long.

For vehicles involved in the pedal recall see here:

Recall Notice: Toyota Recalls 2.3 Million Vehicles for Sticking Accelerator Pedal

For what to do if your vehicle does unintendedly accelerate, see here:

Owners Should Keep Driving Cars Despite Safety Issue Says Toyota

See after the jump for Toyota’s Top 10 Questions and Answers about the Sticking Accelerator Pedal Recall:

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In a statement Toyota has said that, “Pedals featuring the revised design are now in full production at CTS to support Toyota’s needs. Meanwhile, we are also working with them to test effective modifications to existing pedals in the field that will be rolled out as quickly as possible.”

According to Automotive News the “modifications” include a metal shim inserted in a gap on the pedal assembly that will reduce friction and thereby prevent the possibility of a pedal sticking. Toyota representatives have said that the new parts are being manufactured and some have already been sent to Toyota’s manufacturing facilities, while the “fix” for vehicles already on the road should be available to dealers starting next week.

Toyota continues to comment on the rarity of a gas pedal actually sticking in one of its vehicles and insists that owners continue to drive their car. Those worried about driving one of the eight recalled vehicles (including the Camry, Corolla, RAV4, Matrix, Avalon, Highlander, Tundra and Sequoia) should know that the best way to stop a car with a sticking gas pedal is to apply the brakes and put the transmission into neutral. Then, once the vehicle is stopped, turn off the engine.

[Source: Toyota & Automotive News]

Official Toyota statement after the jump:

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Thanks to a dismal year in 2009 for General Motors, Nissan was able to edge out the American manufacturing giant in Mexico and become that country’s largest automaker by sales. In total, Nissan manages to sell 156,186 units in 2009, compared to GM’s sales of 138,482 units.

Like the rest of the world, auto sales in Mexico were down drastically last year, but Nissan wasn’t hit as hard as GM. In Mexico, Nissan saw its sales decline 26 percent over 2008, while GM suffered a 35 percent drop.

While Nissan hasn’t passed GM in sales in Mexico since 1995, it came close last year, falling just 356 vehicles short.

After Nissan and GM, the top five sales leaders in Mexico include Volkswagen in third place, Ford in fourth place and Chrysler in fifth.

[Source: Automotive News via LeftLaneNews]

Alfa Romeo is celebrating it’s 100th anniversary this year and has commissioned three concept vehicles that will be on display at the Geneva Auto Show. The first is an expected collaboration between Alfa and Italian design house Pininfarina.

Pininfarina will display the Spider show car, which is likely based on the 8C Competizione model – which shares a platform with both the Maserati GranTurismo Convertible and the Ferrari California.

AutoGuide will be sure to bring you more on what will no-doubt be a stunning show car, with live coverage of the Geneva Auto Show starting March 1st.

Click here for AutoGuide’s live 2010 Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

Official release after the jump:

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Just days after a recall of 2.3 million vehicles in North America due to the possibility that the accelerator pedal could stick, Toyota Motor Europe has announced a similar recall of up to 1.8 million cars. The latest recall affects eight of Toyota Europe’s best selling models including the Auris, Avensis, Aygo, Corolla, iQ, RAV4, Verso and Yaris. The recall is specific to model built from February of 2005.

“We understand that the current situation is creating concerns, and we deeply regret it,” said Toyota Europe CEO Tadashi Arashima in a statement. “We would also like to reassure customers: the potential accelerator pedal issue only occurs in very rare circumstances. The announced action is a preventive measure aimed to guarantee the highest safety standards to all customers.”

Toyota has said that no Lexus models are affected.

Sale and production of the above mentioned models will not be suspended as Toyota says it has already begun to use new parts that will eliminate the possibility of a problem.

[Source: Automotive News]

It’s not likely to help sell a single car, but Mercedes-Benz has just kicked-off a marketing effort in Europe for the new SLS AMG exotic which will help draw attention to the brand as a whole. Included in the new campaign, Mercedes asks the question, that with an engine, a cockpit and two wings, “Is it still a car?” Some ads will even feature Mercedes’ newest Formula One driver Michael Schumacher.

In addition to more traditional advertising, Mercedes has announced that the SLS AMG will be featured in a new iPhone racing application called “SLS AMG,” as well as in the upcoming Gran Turismo 5 (a game that’s been delayed so many times, the SLS might be a classic before we ever get a chance to play it). The SLS will even be featured on the cover of the game box.

Mercedes has also launched an interactive website about the car, with videos, photos and downloads, which can be seen here:

http://www.sls-amg-magazine.com/

GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Marketing Campaign

[Source: InsideLine]

Not one to let Toyota get all the publicity, today Japan’s number two automaker, Honda Motor Co., has announced its own recall. The recall affects 646,000 Honda Fit models from the 2007 and 2008 model years built in Japan, China, Brazil, Thailand, Malaysia and India. These models were sold in the U.K., Latin American and in the U.S. In total 141,140 of the affected Fit models were sold in the U.S.

The recall is for a window switch that can overheat and potentially catch fire when wet. A minority of recalled Fits will need replacement switches, while the rest will be fitted with a waterproof cover for the electrical components.

“Under some severe operating conditions, water, rain, or other liquid may enter the driver’s window and reach the master power window switch, resulting in impaired function of the switch,” reads a statement released by Honda today. “If the master power window switch is damaged as a result of the liquid intrusion, it may result in failure of the switch and overheating. An overheating switch may cause smoke, melting or, potentially, fire.”

Thanks to a tip from AutoGuide reader Peter Ms we have plenty more photos and some additional information on Mitsubishi’s upcoming compact crossover. The new model will debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March and is expected to arrive shortly thereafter in North America, slotting in underneath the Outlander in the Japanese automaker’s lineup. A leaked brochure for the new CUV, called the RVR in Japan and the ASX in Europe, gives a more detailed look at the CUV.

The car’s interior is typical Mitsubishi, and we can see from the brochure that it comes with a push-button ignition, a large panorama sunroof and there’s even an optional navigation system.

Cargo room doesn’t exactly look plentiful, however, with just around 15 cubic feet behind the rear seats.

We like the little Mitsu’s EVO-style look, but have to admit we’re puzzled about the snorkel on the driver’s side front fender.

In Europe the ASX will be sold with a turbocharged 1.8-liter diesel engine. It is expected to be powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter 4-cylinder when it debuts in North America.

GALLERY: Leaked Mitsubishi RVR Brochure

[Source: Ameblo via Peter McMutry Car Blogs]

Ferrari will show a hybrid concept at the Geneva Auto Show, based on the Italian automaker’s 599 flagship. Ferrari CEO Luca di Montezemolo made the announcement while unveiling the company’s latest Formula One race car. Di Montezemolo also stated that this prototype is slated for production but did not give any timeline.

Ferrari has been known to be working on hybrid technology, a fact the automaker couldn’t deny when patents for a hybrid drivetrain surfaced last year, however, company representatives have said hybrid F-Cars are not in the automaker’s immediate plans.

The 599 Hybrid concept is expected to use a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) setup similar to the ones designed for Formula One, including a lithium-ion battery pack with electric motors built into the rear transaxle. This setup would allow for regenerative braking, a start-stop function and an electric boost capability to add even more acceleration to the 599’s already impressive 620-hp V12 engine. Under city driving it would also help improve mileage by 30 percent. That will be particularly noticeable on such a gas-hungry beast as the 599, which currently only gets 8.7 mpg, bringing it up to 13.8 mpg.

Di Montezemolo made it clear that that while in the past Ferrari lead the charge in getting race car technology to street cars, it now wants to be a pioneer in transferring the efficiencies found at the pinnacle of motorsport to the street.

[Source: AxisofOversteer]

Porsche has officially confirmed that it is looking at bringing a baby Boxster model to market. Rumored to have been in the works for some time, VW Chairman Dr. Martin Winterkorn told the U.K.’s Autocar that such a sports car is under considreration.

When pressed on the issue, Winterkorn responded; “Let’s just say we do not usually waste our effort…”

According to the report, the sports car, rumored to be called the “new 356″, won’t really be that much under the current Boxster, as Porsche looks to take its Boxster model further up-market. Power would come from a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, making roughly 250-hp. This new model will also share its chassis with Audi’s upcoming R4 electric car.

In addition to the new sports car, Winterkorn also confirmed that Porsche is taking a long, hard look at a smaller SUV to slot in underneath the Cayenne.

[Source: AutoCar]