[Iran Press TV Latest] Toyota's president has apologized to customers about recent recalls, but says cars produced by the Japanese automaker are safe to drive. "I would like to take this opportunity to apologize from the bottom of my heart for causing many of our customers concern after the recalls across several models in several regions," Akio Toyoda, the grandson of Toyota's founder, told a news conference in Nagoya, Japan.
Toyoda's comments were his most extensive since the latest recall began in January. Toyota has issued two recalls since last November.
The 2.3-million vehicle recall over defective accelerator pedals includes the 2009-'10 RAV4, 2009-'10 Corolla, 2009-'10 Matrix, 2005-'10 Avalon, 2007-'10 Camry, 2010 Highlander, 2007-'10 Tundra and 2008-'10 Sequoia.
Toyota president has admitted that the company is facing a momentary crisis and that the recall of millions of cars around the globe has tarnished the group's reputation. The auto giant, however, denied it has been covering up safety problems with its cars.
Toyota has already recalled more than eight million cars worldwide. It will cost the company some USD 2 billion to fix the problem.