Toyota Chief Apologizes for Recalls
During testimony today in front of Congress, Akio Toyoda, the grandson of Toyota’s founder and who currently runs the company, said in a prepared statement that the company’s growth directly led to missing serious safety issues.
He also apologized numerous times to the families of victims of accidents in Toyota vehicles.
However, he did reiterate that there is no problem with Toyota’s electronic throttle control, a hotly debated topic during Tuesday’s hearing. Not any of the recalls have involved throttle control but instead floormats, accelerator pedals and brakes.
Toyota’s U.S. chief, Yoshimi Inaba, says the brake override system being installed in the eight models of the 15 recalled make up 72% of the total units covered under the recall. The older models not getting the upgrade are not compatible with the brake override system, he said.
Inaba also said that commercial readers for electronic data recorders – EDRs – will roll out by the middle of next year. Toyota’s prototype EDR reader can be read only by Toyota representatives, and there is only one in the U.S. Inaba said the readers will be widely available next year and will be easily read. The government currently doesn’t require EDRs; they’ll be mandated in 2012.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood answered questions for nearly three hours before Toyoda, but little was revealed in his testimony. There were a number of miscues by congressmen, however, especially regarding recalls. At least one representative mentioned there was a recall of the the Corolla and not one for the Chevy Cobalt, even though both had similar problems with power steering, and the Cobalt had even more complaints. Both models are in the early stages of investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and both had similar numbers of crashes attributed to them despite a higher number of complaints for the Cobalt. The Cobalt investigation is further along, with an information request filed that GM must reply to by March 26. However, neither the Cobalt nor the Corolla has been officially recalled.
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The Cobalt had more complaints yet only Toyota was pressed to conduct a recall. This is called a White House Special by none other than yours truly Barack Corrupt Obama.
Sorry, my english is not so good ! I´m brazilian (from Sao Paulo) and worked in Japan car companies for 7 years, in Japan... No quality!!! Only production!!! For export? More low quality ! Japaneses don´t like alien´s! Maybe, the brazilian industry... Has more quality! I lived (and liked) in Japan, but I have 2 cars from GM and like very much ! But... Car in Brazil, is very expensive ! Has ~50% tax ! And the brazilian car are more limited in tecnology and engine... For low cost!
Bernie,
Cobalt = 1 minor injury
Toyota vehicles = 14 TO 38 DEATHS
Toyota For The Win!!!!
"hitman",
You are comparing one model to an entire brand. Now go back down into your mother's basement to your video game as clearly you aren't too bright.
@Bernie
come on toyota lover wake up. 34 people lost their lives in toyota cars and you still boast about their quality. we live in USa not in third world country, things like this not excepted. may be you should ask those who lost their loved ones in those accidents. those who lost lives where humans not animals. toyota should be allowed to sell anymore vehicles in US.
If you read the post NEITHER Cobalt nor Corolla are recalled. Both have similar number of crashes involved despite the varying number of complaints. Cobalt process started 2 weeks earlier and that's why it's farther along now.
sorry guys wanted to make correction in my post which i posted.
read as : toyota shouldn't be allowed to sell cars anymore in usa."
US should not allow Toyota to sell car over here for at least 5 years. Deport Toyota, only allow it back to the US market in 5-10 years. Make it start from scratch like the Kia, Hyundai, other.
Styles,
Facts first on Toyota SUA deaths by vehicle.
2009 Corolla = 1 Death
2002-2009 Camry = 9 Deaths
2010 Lexus ES 350 = 4 Deaths
2008 Avalon = 4 Deaths
2006 Prius = 1 Death
How this breakdown makes my previous point less valid I have no idea.
Oh, you got insults too!
Now that you have insinuated I am a brainless slacker living in Mom's basement. Let me clarify. I own my home. Have a six figure job and wonderful family. My undergrad is in EE and I have an MBA to boot.
Here is my assumption of your background, Fatty. When you are not choosing between your seventeen pairs of 48 waist /29 leg size Dockers before you slide your doughy body into your stylish Ice Blue Camry on the way your sad cubicle job, you lament where you hair went and wonder if the Steve Miller Band will ever get back together as you drink your Big Gulp slushy cruising through Wal-Mart.
So another Boomer Toyota Humper bleets out in sheepish support?
Have a great day.
@(s)Hitman: How many deaths in the Ford Explorer rollover debacle...?
sweman,
Where is there any insuation that I am saying the domestics have not had there issues in the past?
This is 2010 and it is Toyota's turn in the barrel.
Pintos, Vegas, and Explorers are fifteen to forty years ago.
Toyota is stepping on it big time right now!
Ford Explorer between 1993 and 2000 35 deaths adn 130 injuries according to NHSTA.
Consequently, our friends at Firestone are owned by whom again? The Japanese since 1988.
Remember that as Toyota tries to throw CTS under the SUA bus.
Anyone who posts under the name 'Hitman' lacks not only class but also self-esteem. Now run back to your video game junior.
Walt,
Thank you so much for adding to the this discussion. Is Walt Swedish for douchebag?
Thanks for proving my point.
Walt/Styles,
Well nanny nanny boo boo at you. You started the name calling, oh brave one.
Two posts in a row with nothing added to the discussion at hand.
Hitman: The tires were not the problem with the Explorers, thats just Ford trying to pin the blame on somebody else... Toyota though, has not once mentioned the producer of the pedals as beeing responsible for this.
By the way Pedals produced by... hmmm not a japanese company... not by japanese workers... not in japan...
Sweman,
You are blaming Americans for this?
As the Honorable Ms. Norton stated when Toyota North America executive said her Camry Hybrid was an American car. "It says Toyota on the front of the car. Are you denying them know. I got it. Blame America."
I was looking at Toyota Recall hearings in Japan.
Can I ask you a question?
What are they say "The car manufactured at the Toyota factory in Kentucky like this movie"?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNLkQvz_BdY&NR=1
I was looking at Toyota Recall hearings in Japan.
Can I ask you a question?
What are they say "The car manufactured at the Toyota factory in Kentucky like this movie"?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNLkQvz_BdY&NR=1
itman: I´m not blaming anybody, just pointing out the facts.
I feel sad for everyone myself. First the ones who lost their lives and then for Toyota who created a problem and has to deal with reality of the pain it caused. America is not perfect either. I remember Boeing's neglect on a 1016 bulkhead killed over 500 Japan people back in the 80's. JAL Airline Flight 123. I don't have all the answers but don't like the name calling...forgive each other and try to do better.
@ hitman1970 - First of all, Steve Miller Band, still together (they tour every summer). Second, the Camry Hybrid, not involved with the recall (just the non-hybrid models recalled). Third, issues with domestic auto-makers, not in the past (Ford is currently "in the barrel" with 4.5 million vehicles under a recall for a faulty cruise control switch that catches fire and burns the vehicles to the ground). So what other misinformation can you spew up basement boy.
Rich1/Walt/Styles,
Just because you keep changing your screen name, Loser, does not mean I can't tell it's you.
1. No kidding on Steve Miller. It's called a joke, Fatty.
2. Camry Hybrid dealt with the Toyota Testimony that I referenced. That's called pay attention to what you read, Chunk.
3. When did I imply that no other vehicle manufacturer has any current recalls, Porky.
Did your Ice Blue Camry turn into a Beige Avalon? So exciting.
Have a great evening.
@ Hitman1970 - I post under one name only, please do not assosiate me with the others, as it is annoying, and it makes you seem paranoid. I am 5'11" and weight 165 lbs. so get real. My mistake on the camry hybrid comment, sorry. The reason I mentioned the Ford recall was because you posted "This is 2010 and it is Toyota's turn in the barrel. Pintos, Vegas, and Explorers are fifteen to forty years ago." The Ford recall is still going on right now and the Explorer is one of the vehicles on the list of 4.5 million. Although the latest year model effected is 2003, there are still plenty of them on the road. This is my last post here, (like you care) seeing as how we are totally off subject.