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People who think it doesn't matter who owns our auto industry are flat wrong.

The problem with the auto industry is layered upon the lack of consumer confidence. People are not buying cars. I don't care whether they're or American cars, or international cars.

I myself, as well as Toyota, am not perfect. I, more than anyone, wish for our customers' cars to be safe.

One of the big failures for the big auto companies is that even the CEO and the top management often don't understand design and manufacturing. As a CEO, you have to make decisions; you need to have knowledge.

Manufacturers must accept responsibility for their customers' safety.

Auto designers usually have to think in terms of the standard categories: SUV, sports car, etc.

Porsche and BMW drivers are arrogant.

I believe the auto business is a highly comprehensive and complicated business. It's not that easy for people simply to enter and ruin the whole thing.

Generally, cars were not built to sit on dealer lots. It encourages the wrong kind of behavior in the whole system.

It takes a long time to get a reputation for quality. There are people in our industry, they're basically copiers. Look at the cars on the streets. They all look alike. But if you put quality into a product, then have it validated, you have huge credibility.