WASHINGTON (AP): Under blistering criticism, Toyota President Akio Toyoda personally and repeatedly apologized to Congress and millions of anxious American car-owners Wednesday for deadly defects in popular models produced by his Japanese company. But angry lawmakers forcefully declared it was hardly enough. "I extend my sincerest condolences to them from the bottom of my heart," responded Toyoda, grandson of the founder of the world's largest auto company. "I'm deeply sorry for any accident that
"Where is the remorse?" scolded Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur. And Republican John Mica held aloft what he called an "absolutely appalling"
Of Toyoda's apology, Kaptur said, "I do not think it reflects significant remorse for those who have died." Federal safety officials have received reports linking 34 deaths in the
But what's most important to American drivers - and what lawmakers pressed Toyoda and a top aide to provide - was a better explanation for slow actions to deal with the defects and believable assurances the problems that led to sudden unintended accelerations will be fixed. Toyoda said those changes are being made nearly around the clock, but he repeated the company's insistence that there is no link to the cars' electronic systems.
Many drivers filing complaints with
Outside experts have suggested electronic problems.
Toyoda also said that new systems to allow brakes to override gas pedals were being put on new models.
"Notwithstanding that, accidents actually happen," he told the House of Representatives Oversight and Government Reform Committee, the second of three congressional panels examining
Toyoda, 53, remained calm when some Democratic and Republican lawmakers scolded the company for the recalls and safety problems. He stood firm on many points, including saying he was "absolutely confident" the causes of runaway acceleration were mechanical, and not a design flaw in the company's electronic throttle control system. Many safety experts and lawmakers have suggested that the electronics systems should not be ruled out.
Rep. Mica said it was an embarrassing day not only for
The internal presentation was addressed to Yoshimi Inaba, chief of Toyota Motor North America, who sat next to Toyoda at the witness table. "It is inconsistent with the guiding principles of
"My name is on every car. You have my personal commitment that
Although he answered every question put to him, many of the answers repeated company talking points. He did not offer any new company concessions beyond a general promise to be more vigilant, open in communications and responsive to calls for change. Toyoda testified for a little over three hours.
Later, Toyoda met with a more receptive audience: a group of U.S. Toyota dealers who have been in town lobbying members of Congress. "Words cannot express my gratitude," he said in English. "We need to rethink everything about our operation." Jack Taylor, an
"I think they were a little rough," agreed another dealer, Troy Duhon, who employs 180 people at
At the hearing, Democratic Rep. Paul Kanjorski spoke of "injuries and the damages suffered by innocent Americans ... who like myself have grown up in an atmosphere that we had a great deal of faith in something that was stamped 'Made in Japan."' "It was of the highest reliability. You injured that thought process in the American public, and you will be called upon in our system to pay compensation for that," Kanjorski said.
And Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings told the
"I sincerely regret that some people actually encountered accidents in their vehicles," said Toyoda. In one pointed exchange, Republican Rep. Brian Bilbray asked Toyoda whether
When Toyoda gave a lengthy response through his translator, promising to "minimize those troubles," Bilbray became flustered. "In all fairness, I'd just like a yes or no," Bilbray said, pointing his finger at Toyoda. Toyoda quickly said through the translator that the company would "extend full cooperation." Bilbray shot back, "We'll take that as a yes."
Committee members did not spare federal safety regulators from their withering criticism. Democratic Rep. Edolphus Towns, the committee chairman, said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration failed to follow through aggressively on thousands of complaints dating back a decade about sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles.
NHTSA , which is part of the Transportation Department, "failed the taxpayers and
"We have listed every
Rep. Darrell Issa of California, the leading Republican on the panel, waved a gas pedal before LaHood and complained that Toyota knew about problems of sticking gas pedals and improperly placed floor mats years ago and made some fixes on models sold in Japan but delayed addressing the problems on other cars, including some of its most popular models sold in the U.S., until just recently.
As Salam,
Solan yang kita perlu tanya pada diri kita , jika kita di tempat anak cucu toyota :-
1. Adakah kita mampu mohon maaf , sebab kebanyakan kita belum tentu nak mohon maaf secara terbuka
2. Adakah kita berani berhadapan dengan pihak berkuasa , selalunya kita cari penganti / kambing hitam
3. Selalunya kita kan cari alasan dan bukan kita buat / tak tahu - pusing cerita - so cari kambing hitam
Jadi , bacalah sirah Rasullah SAW , Ahlu bait , Sahabat , tabian , a tabian , moga kita mendapat makfirah .........semua diatas malah lebih dari itu boleh di buat oleh org Islam bila cintai dia mellebih kan Allah dan Rasul.....didalam hati ...bukan cinta dunia...
Sekian
Otam 67
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