Toyota Motor Corp President Akio Toyoda apologized on Friday for a massive global recall that has tarnished the reputation of the world's largest car maker.

Except for a brief, impromptu interview with a Japanese broadcaster while in Switzerland a week ago, Toyoda had not been seen on the issue, prompting criticism from public relations experts and consumers about Toyota's response to the crisis.

(Reporting by Chang-Ran Kim)

Toyota Recall