FREDERICK, Md. — In response to the National Auto Auction Association's recommendation, many auctions throughout the country, including those with Manheim, ADESA, Auction Broadcasting Co. and ServNet, are halting sales of eight Toyota models.

Over at Manheim, officials released a statement Thursday that said, "Manheim will fully comply with the NAAA's position and halt sales at our locations in North America and on OVE.com. We are committed to supporting Toyota during this challenging time."

Meanwhile, ADESA is also complying with the recommendation. This includes all 47 U.S. sites, 13 Canadian sites and two in Mexico.

"Toyota has been a long-standing customer, and we will work closely with Toyota's management to resolve this issue," said ADESA president and chief executive officer Tom Caruso.

"For the safety of our employees and our customers, we have instructed all of our auction locations throughout North America to halt the sales of the affected vehicles at this time," he added.

Furthermore, Jason Hockett, of ABC, told Auto Remarketing on Thursday, "Not only have we received recommendation from NAAA to halt sales of the Toyota vehicles in question, but also we have received requests from many of the major finance and lease companies we sell for at ABC to put a hold on these vehicles.

"From a liability standpoint, ABC has recommended to management of our nine locations to honor the requests of the NAAA," he added.

ServNet, which represents many independents throughout the country, has also adopted NAAA's recommendation.

"The ServNet Auctions fully support the recommendation of Dave Angelicchio, NAAA president, and are committed to doing all that we can to assist Toyota, its dealers, and our various customer groups that regularly consign Toyota product for sale at our member auctions. We are certain that the automaker will address this issue quickly," said Jeff Brasher, ServNet president.

"Of immediate and primary concern, in ServNet's position, is the issue of safety at our member auto auctions. Until the situation has been addressed, we have advised that these affected vehicles not be driven either around the lot or across the auction block. We will certainly be sensitive to any consignor (dealer or institutional account) that has an urgency to liquidate inventory, and accommodate them as appropriate," noted Pierre Pons, ServNet's CEO.

The models involved include: 2009-2010 RAV4, 2009-2010 Corolla, 2009-2010 Matrix, 2005-2010 Avalon, certain 2007-2010 Camry models, 2010 Highlander, 2007-2010 Tundra and 2008-2010 Sequoia.

On Thursday morning, NAAA issued its statement recommending that all member auctions halt sales of these eight Toyota models.

"This list may not be all inclusive, and further information will be forthcoming as NAAA receives it," officials stressed.

They went on to say, "The safety of our customers and employees is our utmost priority, and in that regard the suspension should continue until the issues have been resolved.

"NAAA will work with and support the decision of TMS as they make every effort to address the situation. At this time, we cannot provide a time frame for such a resolution," officials concluded.