Toyota U.S. sales chief James Lentz said on Tuesday members of his family drive Toyota's cars and would continue to do so amid recalls that have tarnished the car maker's reputation.

I would not have my family drive products if I didn't feel they were safe, Lentz said under questioning today from lawmakers at hearing in Washington about unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.

The company has recalled millions of vehicles in recent months, vowing to fix problems which it says have come from improperly placed floor mats and sticky pedals.

Lentz, who has the title of President and Chief Operating Officer of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc, said the company is improving the way it handles customer complaints.

We have new processes in place that will ensure transparency to make changes, he said.

Lentz said that determinations about defects or recalls had been previously made in Japan but said that would change.

He said the company would be creating a safety board that would include representatives from around the world.

If a representative disagreed with the company's decisions on recalls, they would be able to appeal the decision, something that hadn't been available so far, Lentz noted.

The President and Chief Executive of Toyota Motor Corp. in Japan, Akio Toyoda. Will testify tomorrow before lawmakers.

In prepared statements released today to be read during testimony in Congress, he said he was deeply sorry for any accidents that Toyota drivers had experienced.

Japan Toyota