Toyota’s president testifies in front of Congress, apologizes for safety recalls

On Wednesday, at a U.S. congressional hearing concerning automobile safety, Toyota Motor Company president Akio Toyoda apologized for the Japanese car makers’ numerous recalls, stating that his company’s rapid growth had “confused” the priority that it places on safety, according to the Los Angeles Times.

“Quite frankly, I fear the pace at which we have grown may have been too quick,” said Toyoda, who testified in front of Congress for more than three hours. “I regret that this has resulted in the safety issues described in the recalls we face today, and I am deeply sorry for any accidents that Toyota drivers have experienced.”

Toyota’s president also said he believes that there are no problems with the electronics in his vehicles and that no cover-up was attempted to veil the automaker’s safety issues.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced that Toyota has agreed to cover the cost of at-home pickup of vehicles that were involved in the recalls. In addition, the Japanese automaker will reportedly reimburse customers for supplemental expenses such as taxis or car rentals, the New York Times reports.