Toyota apologizes for letting safety standards slide

Toyota has apologized for letting safety standards slide during a period of fast growth, and vowed to respond more quickly to consumer complaints.

But the company says the recalls of millions of cars, may not totally solve the problem.

Toyota's US operators testified on Tuesday afternoon, before the investigative subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

It was the first of three hearings scheduled this week, investigating Toyota's safety problems.

Jim Lentz (C), Toyota's top-ranking U.S. executive as President and COO of Toyota Motor Sales USA, is escorted out of the committee room after testifying at the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing on the "Response By Toyota and NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) to Incidents of Sudden Unintended Acceleration" on Capitol Hill in Washington February 23, 2010. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque