“We will tackle the issue with dealers and suppliers,” Toyoda said at a press conference, speaking in English. “Together we will do everything in our power to regain the confidence of our customers.

“Let me assure everyone that we will redouble our commitment to quality as a lifeline of our company, with myself taking the lead and by keeping to the genchi genbutsu (“go and see for yourself”) principle,” he said.

The phrase refers to the importance of getting to the source and finding the facts to make correct decisions, stressed in the Toyota Production System, a business method that has been copied in other industries.

Toyoda again apologised for the recalls of more than eight million cars worldwide, most of them for problems with sticking accelerator pedals.

“I am very sorry for causing worries and trouble regarding safety and quality,” said the grandson of the company’s founder.

Regarding the Prius and its faulty break system due to a software problem, he told drivers that “if the phenomenon occurs, if you brake the pedals strongly the car will stop for sure, so please be prepared.”