A top Toyota executive today promised a quality shake-up as the Obama administration said it would hold the carmaker's head to a pledge to address safety issues after massive recalls.
In a statement prepared for a hearing on the recalls, US transportation secretary Ray LaHood said he would hold Akio Toyoda to his assurance that the carmaker is is working to address all safety issues.
Toyota's top-ranking US executive, Jim Lentz, apologised for what he called unacceptable delays in dealing with safety issues as well as poor communication with regulators and consumers.
Toyota has recalled over 8.5 million vehicles worldwide in recent months for problems including sticky accelerators, accelerators that can be pinned down by loose floor mats and a braking glitch affecting its hybrid models.
It is also investigating reports of steering problems in the Corolla, its second most popular US model, and is facing a US criminal investigation over its handling of the recalls.
"We now understand that we must think differently when investigating complaints and communicate faster, better and more effectively with our customers and our regulators," Mr Lentz said in testimony prepared for his appearance before a congressional committee investigating Toyota's safety crisis.
Toyota President Akio Toyoda, grandson of Toyota's founder, who took the helm at the world's top-ranked car maker last June, is scheduled to testify before the US House Oversight and Government Reform Committee tomorrow.
The Capitol Hill hearing will examine unintended acceleration problems that have been linked to at least five U.S. deaths, with 29 other fatality reports being examined.
Toyota's woes deepened this week as it revealed it faces a US criminal investigation into the handling of the recalls, while Japan voiced concern over the economic impact of its problems.
Reuters