Carmaker Toyota apologizes for recalls

Toyota's president has apologized for the carmaker's massive global recalls. He also said at Friday's press conference that the automaker is still deciding what to do about the new Prius, which has braking problems.

Toyota Motor Corp President Akio Toyoda bows at the start of a news conference in Nagoya, central Japan February 5, 2010. Toyota Motor Corp President Toyoda  apologised on Friday for a massive global recall that has tarnished the  reputation of the world's largest car maker. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Akio Toyoda, Toyota president & CEO, said, "I apologize, from the bottom of my heart, for all the concern that we have caused so many customers in so many countries. For all those customers who have been worrying about whether their cars are okay, I have come today to give an explanation."

The carmaker's leader promised to improve quality control by setting up a special committee, headed by himself, to review checks within the company, go over consumer complaints, and listen to outside experts in order to help develop solutions.

He stresses that the company's cars are safe. Japan's transport minister adds that the government has learned that Toyota plans to carry out either a recall, or voluntary repairs, over brake problems with its Prius hybrid.

But he says the vehicle manufacturer has not yet informed his office which option it will pursue.