Toyota chief to give news conference in Beijing on Mon.+

BEIJING, Feb. 27 Kyodo -
Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda will on Monday give a news conference
in Beijing to explain its recall of several models, its local company said
Saturday.

In 2009, China became the world's largest automotive market, surpassing the
United States for the first time in history, so the news conference is seen
aimed at regaining trust in the carmarker.
The Chinese authorities have already issued a notice calling on owners of
Toyota vehicles to immediately report any anomalies such as problems associated
with accelerator pedals.
Toyota has been under fire for recalls of over 8 million vehicles around the
world.
Toyoda testified at the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform on Wednesday. His appearance before the committee was
widely reported in the Chinese press.
In December, Toyota implemented a recall for around 43,000 vehicles covering
four models imported into China from Japan, including the Lexus ES350 and
Highlander sport utility vehicle.
The Japanese automaker last month told Chinese authorities it will recall about
75,000 units of the RAV4 sport utility vehicle manufactured and sold in China,
due to potentially defective accelerator pedals.
==Kyodo
2010-02-27 23:20:33