Toyota chief to give news conference in Beijing on Monday

BEIJING 28th February, 2010; Japan Today reported that Toyota Motor Corp President Akio Toyoda will give a news conference Monday in Beijing to explain its recall of several models. 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 Toyota issue drew considerable attention in China, with major media reporting extensively Friday about Toyoda’s testimony at a U.S. House of Representatives hearing on Wednesday. The Legal Daily, for example, said it will be difficult for Toyota to overcome the crisis over its quality and trust in a short period.

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.