The big news for the 2011 lineup is the installation of brake override technology as standard equipment across the range. This technology is designed to stop a car if the brakes and accelerator are applied simultaneously (see Consumer Report's video after the jump) and was adopted by Toyota to ease consumer concerns over sudden acceleration of its vehicles.
Aside from the redesigned 2011 Avalon that was introduced with the safety feature, brake override technology is now standard on the Yaris, RAV4 SUV, Land Cruiser SUV, Sequoia SUV and Tundra pickup truck.
There are more changes on certain models for the 2011 model year that you can check out in detail in the press release after the jump.
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For the record, the Toyota models not affected by the temporary sales halt are the Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser and select Camry models, including all Camry hybrids, which will remain for sale.
According to the company, the new sticking accelerator pedal recall is separate from the on-going recall of around 1.7 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to reduce the risk of pedal entrapment by incorrect or out of place accessory floor mats.
In this latest recall, the Japanese automaker said that it has investigated isolated reports of sticking accelerator pedal mechanisms in certain vehicles even without the presence of floor mats.
According to Toyota, there's a possibility that certain accelerators may, "in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position."
"Helping ensure the safety of our customers and restoring confidence in Toyota are very important to our company," commented Group Vice President and Toyota Division General Manager Bob Carter.
"This action is necessary until a remedy is finalized. We're making every effort to address this situation for our customers as quickly as possible."
Because of the sales halt, the company said that it will stop producing vehicles on certain production lines for the week of February 1. The affected factories are listed below:
--Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Canada (Corolla, Matrix, and RAV4)
--Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (Sequoia and Highlander)
--Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky – Line 1 (Camry and Avalon)
--Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (Camry)
--Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (Tundra)
With sales of large SUVs and pickup trucks in the States on the constant decline Toyota decided to partially deal with the oversupply problem by exporting the Sequoia SUV that's made in Indiana to the Middle East and South America, and the Tundra pickup truck made at its plant in Texas to South America. Annually, Toyota plans to ship approximately 15,000 units of the Sequoia to the Middle East, and around 150 units of the Sequoia and 1,000 units of the Tundra to South America. In both cases, exports are scheduled to start in December 2008. 
Toyota USA is recalling 15,616 MY 2007 Tundra 4-wheel drive pickup trucks due to the improper heat treatment of the slip yokes that had been reworked during the manufacturing process. In this condition, there is a possibility that the yoke may break causing the propeller shaft to separate at the joint and come into contact with the road surface or the fuel tank which could result in a loss of vehicle control or even a fuel leak.