Toyota boss 'sorry' for anxiety

The president of Toyota has apologised for any anxiety caused by the company's throttle recall, but has insisted its cars are still safe to drive.

In his first major public speech since the recall crisis engulfed Toyota, Akio Toyoda said: "I'm deeply sorry about the inconvenience and concern we have caused customers. But, believe me, Toyota cars are safe."

He added that the company had not yet decided whether to issue a recall for the Toyota Prius, which is subject to an investigation into a potential brake problem. Toyota says the problem effects the brake feel when the ABS system engages, as the system switches from regenerative mode.

However, Toyota India has confirmed that Indian cars will not face similar problems. “There will be no impact on Indian market as we source cars from Japan and not from the US,” said Sandeep Singh, Deputy MD, Marketing, Toyota Kirloskar Motors.

The list of affected models also include Camry and the Corolla, but India gets its Camry imported from the Japan, while the Corolla is manufactured at its Bangalore plant. While the Prius that will be available in India by March 2010 will be trouble free as cars produced post January 2010 will be equipped with the modified braking system.

But Toyoda conceded that the company has extended an internal probe of the brake problem with the Prius to cover the rest of its hybrid range, including Lexus models.

Reports suggest the US government is planning to launch its own investigation into the Prius braking issues, and Toyoda said Toyota would co-operate fully with the American enquiry.