last week mr. lentzf toyota motor sales usa, testified that he had no authority to recall toyota vehicles sold in the united states when those vehicles have safety problems. i believe one of you indicated that that's going to change. i want to probe that. is that an accurate statement as of now? >> translator: let me answer. it is true that north american member was not officially included in our recall decision making process. [ speaking japanese ] >> translator: and we believe that we were taken into consideration the opinions of those members in north america sufficiently. however, we realize that as you pointed out, our old system may have caused some concern or suspicion on the part of the united states or north american marketplace. therefore, in order to improve this, we have decided to include someone who is very well familiar with the north american market situation to become a panel member, a very important panel member that will be involved in the recall decision making process. and this inclu

last week mr. lentztor sales usa, testified that he had no authority to recall toyota vehicles sold in the united states when those vehicles have safety problems. i believe one of you indicated that that's going to change. i want to probe that. is that an accurate statement as of now? >> translator: let me answer. it is true that north american member was not officially included in our recall decision making process. [ speaking japanese ] >> translator: and we believe that we were taken into consideration the opinions of those members in north america sufficiently. however, we realize that as you pointed out, our old system may have caused some concern or suspicion on the part of the united states or north american marketplace. therefore, in order to improve this, we have decided to include someone who is very well familiar with the north american market situation to become a panel member, a very important panel member that will be involved in the recall decision making process. and this inclusion is an

>> we are looking at that, senator, and particularly given the fact that mr. lentz be recommending that. >> the 2006 camry model is not on the current recall list. why are there models such as the 2006 camry, which have been involved in deadly accidents, not included in the current recall? >> i will get back to you on the record, if i can, senator. >> ok, because i do not think the recall was comprehensive enough, based on what i am reading. but i turn to you, because i trust your gut and on this. >> thank you, senator boxer. >> the way i look at it, investigations were opened six times, close without action, 34 people died. i think we can do better. in 1980, there were 119 people in enforcement. today, there are 57. in 30 years since 1980, we have doubled the number of cars on the road, from 146 million vehicles in 1980 to 246 million vehicles today. has this diminished staffing level made a difference? >> more positions for nhtsa are recommended in the 2011 budget. we applaud the president for recognizing that we need more resources. >> do you think that would be

>> we are looking at that, senator, and particularly given the fact that mr. lentzsaid they will put that in all cars, we are looking at it. it is a good safety device, and we are trying to figure out if we should be recommending that. >> the 2006 camry model is not on the current recall list. why are there models such as the 2006 camry, which have been involved in deadly accidents, not included in the current recall? >> i will get back to you on the record, if i can, senator. >> ok, because i do not think the recall was comprehensive enough, based on what i am reading. but i turn to you, because i trust your gut and on this. >> thank you, senator boxer. >> the way i look at it, investigations were opened six times, close without action, 34 people died. i think we can do better. in 1980, there were 119 people in enforcement. today, there are 57. in 30 years since 1980, we have doubled the number of cars on the road, from 146 million vehicles in 1980 to 246 million vehicles today. has this diminished staffing level made a difference? >> more positions for nhtsa are r