Toyota recalls spark customer response pledge

Toyota boss Akio Toyoda said the carmaker needed to regain credibility

Toyota has said it will listen more carefully to customers and respond faster to complaints after the recall of millions of cars over safety fears.

The beleaguered carmaker made the pledge following the first meeting of its global safety committee, which was set up following the recalls.

It also said it would enlist the help of outside experts across the world.

Toyota was forced to recall more than 8 million cars globally after faulty brakes and accelerator pedals.

"Listening carefully to the voice of the customer is crucial to regaining credibility from our customers," said Toyota president Akio Toyoda.

"We are setting up a system to respond more quickly to complaints."

Executives and workers from around the world met for the inaugural meeting of Toyota's safety committee at the carmaker's headquarters in Japan.

The carmaker said it would bring in independent experts to help evaluate what went wrong with its quality control measures.

The committee will publish its first report in June, it added.

Toyota also said it would be incorporating a brake override system on new cars to resolve braking issues reported by drivers.