Toyota chief apologizes, pledges better safety

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Toyota President Akio Toyoda appeared before a House panel on Wednesday, apologized for safety problems that have led to the recall of 10 million vehicles around the world and promised that the company would work harder to ensure safety.

Wearing a dark striped suit, Toyoda, the grandson of the company founder and considered corporate royalty in Japan, spoke in English and he apologized directly to the Saylor family for the San Diego accident that became the example of the company’s acceleration safety problems and helped lead to Wednesday’s appearance.

“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.

Toyoda, 53, was greeted by a phalanx of crowding photographers as he took the witness seat, a far cry from the deference that usually greets a top executive in Japan. Those differences were expected to continue during the questioning phase.

“I would like to discuss what caused the recall issues we are facing now. Toyota has, for the past few years, been expanding its business rapidly. Quite frankly, I fear the pace at which we have grown may have been too quick,” Toyoda said.

“I would like to point out here that Toyota’s priority has traditionally been the following: first, safety; second, quality; and third, volume. These priorities became confused, and we were not able to stop, think and make improvements as much as we were able to before, and our basic stance to listen to customers’ voices to make better products has weakened somewhat. 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,” he said.

“My name is on every car. You have my personal commitment that Toyota will work vigorously and unceasingly to restore the trust of our customers.”

-- Michael Muskal
twitter.com/LATimesmuskal