Toyota Caught Smirking About Recall
By Chris Weiss
Boy, at this point Toyota might be better off having produced the 1971 Ford Pinto. An internal document that’s now not so internal cites recall negotiations on the Camry and Lexus ES 350, both involved in last year’s floor mat-based recall, as saving the company $100 million. The document appears to be in reference to a 2007 recall concerning the problematic floor mats. Most incriminating of all, the document is entitled “Wins for Toyota–Safety Group”. So apparently, the safety group isn’t so concerned with safety as much as saving money. What a win.
Toyota attempted to dig itself out in a statement posted on its website: “Our first priority is the safety of our customers and to conclude otherwise on the basis of one internal presentation is wrong. Our values have always been to put the customer first and ensure the highest levels of safety and quality.”
The document is one of 50,000 that Toyota turned over to the House of Representatives in anticipation of the hearings set to begin on Tuesday. Looks like Akio will have some ‘splainen to do. [via Inside Line]
