Toyota CEO tells Ky. workers company must rethink operations to win back customers

Toyota CEO greets workers at Ky. plant

GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Toyota’s president is telling workers at the automaker’s largest North American assembly plant that the company is at a “crossroads” and needs to rethink its operations to win customers back.

Akio Toyoda is touring the assembly line in Georgetown and giving a brief speech to about 100 employees. It is his first visit to the plant as head of the company his grandfather founded.

Toyoda spent several minutes on the assembly line, including visiting the station where a gas pedal is installed. The world’s biggest automaker is facing big legal and PR problems as it recalls millions of vehicles over safety concerns.

Toyoda seemed to choke up when he thanked workers who made the trek to Washington on Wednesday for his testimony to Congress.