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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.
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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.
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