A Toyota spokesman could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Jerry Giaquinta, a Toyota spokesman, said the company had no secret warranties.

A Toyota spokesman said that while the company was satisfied with its performance, it expected to improve even more.

James Olson, a Toyota spokesman, said the action would "have negligible effect on our cost of borrowings."

But a Toyota spokesman denied the program constituted a secret warranty.

A Toyota spokesman insisted, however, that the floor number said nothing about corporate sentiment toward Gazoo.

A Toyota spokesman said the move was intended to rejuvenate the management ranks.

"We spent a lot of time on that," said a Toyota spokesman.

The idea, according to a Toyota spokesman, is to go after the young-male market with a car that is sensible but exciting.

A Toyota spokesman said the company was not aware of an inquiry.