Auction shoppers must be alerted to recalled Toyotas, auction group says

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

Auction shoppers must be alerted to recalled Toyotas, auction group says

Arlena Sawyers

Automotive News -- January 27, 2010 - 3:07 pm ET

DETROIT -- If wholesale auto auctions want to sell used vehicles included in Toyota’s massive recall to correct sticking accelerator pedals, they should make an announcement -- perhaps over the public-address system -- advising dealers about the recall, the nation’s largest auto auction association will advise its members.

Frank Hackett, executive director of the National Auto Auction Association, said the association is preparing an advisory for its member auctions. It will cover the eight models of cars and trucks recalled by Toyota until the company finds a repair for the problem.

The advisory, which is scheduled to go out later today, will include acceptable language auctions can use, Hackett says.

NAAA president Dave Angelicchio says auctions historically sell vehicles that have issues, and those issues are disclosed at the time of the sale.

He says the recalled Toyota vehicles are no different.

“Unless they’re living in a tent somewhere, [buyers] should be aware,” says Angelicchio, owner of the Pittsburgh Independent Auto Auction. “From the auction’s perspective, they would make sure an announcement is made concerning the vehicle so the buyer can buy based on that condition.”

Last week's recall covers 2.3 million 2005-10 Avalons, 2007-10 Camrys and Tundras; 2008-10 Sequoias; 2009-10 Corollas, RAV4s and Matrixes; and 2010 Highlanders.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20100127/RETAIL07/100129877/1132#ixzz0dr9niE9h