Kildee Shocked by Toyota Documents Suggesting Profit Took Precedence Over Safety

Contact: Erin Donar

202-225-3611
 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, several news outlets reported that Toyota bragged in internal documents about saving $100 million by avoiding a large scale safety recall of several of its 2007 models. These cars exhibited the same problems that recently caused the recall of millions of cars worldwide. Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI), co-chair of the Congressional Automotive Caucus said that if true, these actions were “despicable” and called for further investigation into this matter. He released the following statement.

“I am deeply concerned by internal Toyota documents that suggest that the safety of the American consumer took a back seat to the profits of the Toyota shareholder. In fact, the company appears to have boasted about avoiding a large scale safety recall, saving the company $100 million. Any suggestion that American consumer safety was compromised just to save a buck is shocking and despicable, particularly after the recent safety failures that put countless Americans at risk. I expect a full explanation from Toyota president Akio Toyoda when he testifies before Congress later this week. These documents raise serious concerns about a disregard for consumer safety and warrant a further investigation. Every company that benefits from car sales in the United States should be held to the same high safety standard, and Toyota is no exception. The American people deserve to have confidence in the safety of their vehicles and they deserve answers.”