A wide-scale automotive issue stemming from loose wheel bolts has caused Toyota to recall 2,700 of its bZ4X electric-crossover vehicles. The bZ4X is Toyota’s first global electric car, launched earlier this year at a starting price of $42,000.
Of the vehicles subject to the latest recall, about 2,200 were destined for Europe, 270 for North America, 112 for Japan, and 60 were to be shipped to other places in Asia, according to Toyota. They were produced between March and June.
Toyota Motor Corporation said Friday the cause is still under investigation, but the whole wheel could come off, risking a crash.
“Until the remedy is available, no one should drive these vehicles,” the company said in a statement.
The recall is a major setback for the Japanese automaker’s ambitions for the bZ4X to open the doors to the global electric vehicle (EV) market.
Toyota has been seen as a straggler in the electric vehicles industry due to its success in other green technology such as hybrids, fuel cells, and efficient gas engines.
The bZ4X, which went on sale about two months ago, is a key model in the car manufacturer’s plans to strengthen its electric lineup. Toyota forecasts offering 30 EV models by 2030, selling 3.5 million electric vehicles globally that year.
The “bZ” in the recalled model’s name stands for the “beyond zero” series and includes sport-utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and sports cars, according to Toyota.
Demand in the EV industry is projected to grow steadily as gas prices continue to soar amid inflation and the war in Ukraine and as increasing numbers of people shift toward environmentally-conscious consumption.
Toyota is also investing 2 trillion yen ($17.6 billion) in battery research and development to achieve its growth goals. According to Breitbart, about 7% of that investment will be spent on building a $1.3 billion EV battery plant near Greensboro, North Carolina, that is expected to employ at least 1,750 people.