DETROIT (AP) — An independent panel set up to review Toyota Motor Corp.'s safety and quality issues says the company doesn't do a good job of incorporating customer feedback into its car designs.
The panel says Toyota should appoint executives who are responsible for safety and should give more power to regional executives outside Japan.
Toyota set up the panel last year after it recalled millions of vehicles for safety problems, including sticky accelerator pedals. Government testing has indicated that the problems weren't caused by electronic or software problems, but most likely by floor mats or driver error.
Toyota says it's already following some of the panel's recommendations, including appointing chief safety officers in North America and Japan.
It has also extended the development time of its vehicles to allow more safety testing.