Mexican Media Brands
Recall Settlement a Turning Point for Toyota
Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda says the company's $1.2 billion settlement of a U.S. criminal probe about its handling of unintended acceleration complaints marks a shift in how the company thinks about safety.
#regulations
Share
Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda says the company's $1.2 billion settlement of a U.S. criminal probe about its handling of unintended acceleration complaints marks a shift in how the company thinks about safety.
Until now, Toyota has looked at safety only in terms of complying with regulations. Now, the executive tells reporters in Tokyo, the goal is to provide "a sense of security" and "assure customers peace of mind."
Toyoda also declares recalls a positive aspect of carmaking. "Recalls are not about concealing problems," he says. "It's about improving the product and coming up with countermeasures."
Toyoda did not comment about the U.S. settlement. The company agreed to pay a record $1.2 billion fine in exchange for the U.S. Dept. of Justice dropping criminal charges. Toyota also agreed to admit it misled customers, the public and federal safety agencies by partly concealing sticky throttle systems and floor mat problems that could jam the accelerator pedal.
RELATED CONTENT
-
U.S. in No Hurry to Regulate Autonomous Vehicles
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the emerging technology involved in self-driving cars is too new to be tightly regulated.
-
Dubai to Test Digital License Plates
Next month Dubai will begin testing digital license plates that can display various messages, make payments and conduct other transactions.
-
Self-Driving Chevy Bolt Ticketed for Driving Too Close to Pedestrian
Police in San Francisco ticketed the backup driver in a self-driving Chevrolet Bolt for allowing the car to drive too close to a pedestrian in a crosswalk in San Francisco.