Toyota is facing one of the most dangerous – personal injury related – product liability problems and largest recall in the history of car making, possibly in the entire history of manufacturing. So, I would think that unambiguous answers from the company’s chief executive before Congress would be a good place to start. But I suppose Toyota doesn’t agree.
In contrast to his earlier statements, James Lentz, the American president of Toyota, stated while testifying on Capitol Hill today that the “fix” involved in Toyota’s recall regarding unintentional acceleration problems may “not totally” fix the problem.
It should be noted that the company has emphatically denied that the problem behind its recall is anything other than “sticky” pedals and bad floor mats. And Toyota, including Mr. Lentz during the same testimony as just mentioned, has strenuously denied that the problem could be the electronic throttle system. A direction several experts and analysts have suggested.
Massachusetts Representative Edward Markey (D-MA) got a little heated with Mr. Lentz during the questioning. “You said you had solved the problem, you don’t know if you have solved the problem.” Rep. Markey stressed.
Mr. Lentz insisted that the problem was not electronic but that the company was being vigilant in its continued investigation.
When pressed on how Toyota, a company originally known for quality, could find itself in this situation – Mr. Lentz replied, “We lost sight of our customers.”
