USA: Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda apologizes to consumers at confressional hearing

Record ID: 343727

  • Title: USA: Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda apologizes to consumers at confressional hearing
  • Date: 25th February 2010
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA YOSHIMI INABA, SAYING: "We have rigorously tested our solutions and are confident that with these repairs, Toyota vehicles will remain among the safest on the road today. We are also going further, by installing advanced brake override systems in all of our new North American vehicles before the end of 2010 and
  • Embargoed: 12th March 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Domestic Politics,Transport
  • Reuters ID: LVA7G2P3MFZW9FF9OGI6TP3CVP9C
  • Story Text: Toyota Motor Corp chief Akio Toyoda stepped to center stage in a sprawling U.S. investigation of the Japanese automaker's safety crisis Wednesday (February 24), apologizing to consumers and pledging reforms to skeptical lawmakers.
    "I am deeply sorry for any accidents that Toyota drivers have experienced," said Toyoda after being sworn in before the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
    "We pursued growth over the speed at which we were able to develop our people and our organization, and we should sincerely be mindful of that. I regret that this has resulted in the safety issues described in the recalls we face today, and I am deeply sorry for any accidents that Toyota drivers have experienced. Especially, I would like to extend my condolences to the members of the Saylor family, for the accident in San Diego. I would like to send my prayers again, and I will do everything in my power to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again," he said.
    His appearance marked a dramatic peak in a safety crisis that broke a month ago with a series of recalls over unintended acceleration and braking problems that now includes more than 8.5 million vehicles globally.
    Dressed in a gray, pinstriped suit, Toyoda said he, more than anyone, wanted Toyota cars to be safe.
    "I take the utmost pleasure in offering vehicles that our customers love, and I know that Toyota's 200,000 team members, dealers, and suppliers across America feel the same way. However, in the past few months, our customers have started to feel uncertain about the safety of Toyota's vehicles, and I take full responsibility for that," Toyoda said.
    He delivered his opening statement in English before using a translator to answer lawmakers' questions.
    Toyoda emphatically rejected a theory that some of the acceleration problems are in the electronics rather than the recalled sticky accelerator mechanisms and floor mats that can trap the accelerator pedal.
    The unintended acceleration problems have been linked to at least five U.S. deaths, with 29 other fatality reports being examined by U.S. authorities.
    Seated next to Toyoda and also testifying before members of the congressional panel, Yoshimi Inaba, President of Toyota Motor North America, defended steps taken by Toyota to correct vehicle defects. He said Toyota was implementing a "top to bottom" quality control process.
    "We have rigorously tested our solutions and are confident that with these repairs, Toyota vehicles will remain among the safest on the road today. We are also going further, by installing advanced brake override systems in all of our new North American vehicles before the end of 2010 and in an expanded range of existing models as a customer confidence measure, and taking comprehensive steps to ensure strict quality control and increased responsiveness to our customers and regulators in the future. As you have heard, Mr. Toyoda is leading a top to bottom review of our global quality control processes, and will seek input from independent safety experts to ensure that our processes meet or exceed industry standards," he said.
    Later on Wednesday, the panel will hear from a relative of Mark Saylor, an off-duty California Highway Patrol officer who was killed last August, along with three members of his family, when the Toyota Lexus sedan he was driving sped out of control.
    U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who preceded Toyoda before the panel, labeled recalled Toyota vehicles as "not safe."
    Toyota, founded by Toyoda's grandfather, now faces a criminal investigation and a securities probe in the United States as well as unresolved questions about hundreds of incidents of unintended acceleration reported by consumers.
    Toyota has promised internal reforms intended to increase attention to safety and ensure that future recalls happen more quickly in response to consumer complaints.
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