"We deeply apologize for troubling and worrying customers with the series of scandals" that occurred at the truck subsidiary
The data rigging that occurred at the three firms was "an extremely serious matter that betrayed customers' trust and shook the foundation of the vehicle certification system," he said.
Toyoda's rare appearance in front of the media came as concern grew over product quality at the world's biggest automaker group following the issues.
Daihatsu stopped all shipments at home and abroad last month due to safety test rigging. Hino admitted in
Third-party panels investigating the incidents have suggested strong product demand from Toyota could have been a cause of the problems.
"Some of them might find it difficult to express their opinions freely to Toyota as in most cases Toyota makes the orders," Toyoda acknowledged.
The chairman, who served as Toyota president for 14 years until last year, said from now he will prioritize his oversight of the entire Toyota group, not just the automaker, and reform the group's awareness about compliance by increasing communication with each company.
Asked about the degree to which he is responsible for the failure to discover the cases of misconduct during his presidency, Toyoda defended his actions, saying he was "too busy with turning around the company" hit by the "Lehman shock" financial crisis in 2008 and a massive earthquake and tsunami that struck the country's northeast in 2011.
Toyoda said he hopes his actions can serve as a model for group companies that are dealing with crises, saying his experience in reforming the company after a massive 2009-2010 recall in
Based on the results, the ministry is expected to determine the severity of administrative punishment it will impose on the company, such as an operation correction order and the revocation of certifications needed for mass production.
Toyota said Monday it will stop the shipment of 10 models sold globally after
The data rigging was also found in the testing for all industrial engines
==Kyodo
© Kyodo News International, Inc., source