Evidence has been given to support Toyota in their theory that mechanical failure was the cause of unwanted acceleration and that electronics are not at fault.
David W. Gilbert, an automotive technology professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale raised doubts that mechanical fixes for unwanted acceleration will solve the problem.
The director of Stanford University’s Center for Automotive Research, Chris Gerdes, and a consulting firm, Exponent Inc., said “the professor had tampered with wiring to create electronic glitches that could never occur on the road.”
The professor’s work “could result in misguided policy and unwarranted fear,” Gerdes said.
“We do not believe that electronics are at the root of the of this issue.” stated Mike Michels, a Toyota Spokesman, during a demonstration at the automaker’s North American Headquarters in Torrance, California.