Akio Toyoda Vows to Change Company's Ways

Toyota’s president says he is changing the way the automaker does business as he addresses the safety problems that have led to the recall of 8.5 million vehicles.

Akio Toyoda, the grandson of Toyota’s founder, discussed the overhaul in an opinion piece posted late Monday on The Wall Street Journal’s Web site.

Citing his heritage, Toyoda wrote that the past few months have been humbling and painful. He acknowledged Toyota didn’t respond quickly enough to reports about vehicle defects and vowed to impose tougher quality controls.

Toyota’s handling of its recent safety issues is now the subject of a U.S. criminal investigation.

Toyoda is expected to be grilled by U.S. lawmakers Wednesday when he is scheduled to appear at a congressional hearing.

2/22/2010 9:36 PM NEW YORK (AP)