Toyoda testimony: As auto maker grew, safety suffered
By Neil Roland, Crain News Service
Washington -- Toyota Motor Corp. president Akio Mr. Toyoda plans to tell lawmakers today that the company regrettably chased growth at the expense of safety in recent years, and he will announce steps to improve Toyota's handling of customer complaints.
Mr. Toyoda's written testimony to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee says the auto maker's priorities “became confused.â€
“We pursued growth over the speed at which we were able to develop our people and our organization,†Mr. Toyoda says. “I regret that this has resulted in the safety issues described in the recalls we face today.â€
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released Mr. Toyoda's testimony yesterday at the same time that the House Energy and Commerce Committee was conducting the first congressional hearing into Toyota's safety problems.
Mr. Toyoda also says the company's recall decisions will be informed by a new system in which customer input from around the world “will reach our management in a timely manner.â€
His testimony doesn't provide details.
Mr. Toyoda says the company will form a quality advisory group composed of outside experts from around the world “to ensure that we do not make a misguided decision.†In addition, Toyota will form an Automotive Center of Quality Excellence and introduce the position of product safety executive, he says.
There also will be “the sharing of more information and responsibility within the company for product quality decisions, including defects and recalls,†Mr. Toyoda says, without providing details.
Finally, Toyota managers will “actually drive the cars†and “check for themselves where the problem lies as well as its severity,†he says.
“My name is on every car,†the grandson of the company's founder says. “You have my personal commitment that Toyota will work vigorously and unceasingly to restore the trust of our customers.â€
This report appeared in Automotive News and Tire Business, US-based sister publications of Tire Business.
This is an external link and should open in a new window. If the window does not appear, please check your pop-up blocking software. ERJ is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Toyoda testimony: As auto maker grew, safety suffered from Tire Business (a Crain publication)
This article is only available to subscribers - subscribe today
Subscribe for unlimited access. A subscription to European Rubber Journal includes:
- Every issue of European Rubber Journal (6 issues) including Special Reports & Maps.
- Unlimited access to ERJ articles online
- Daily email newsletter – the latest news direct to your inbox
- Access to the ERJ online archive