TOYOTA CITY, Japan — The president of Toyota Motor Corp. gave his "heartfelt apologies" for the automaker's recent safety issues while also extending thanks to supporters during these challenging times in a message on the company's website that reflects on the past year and paints a vision for the future.

The future illustrated by Akio Toyoda is one of sustainable growth, technological innovation and a way for Toyota to contribute to society through vehicles and services.

Toyoda started the message with thanks to the automaker's customers, shareholders and employees, along with other stakeholders, then addressed the safety recall situation.

"In recent months we have given Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners, as well as our shareholders and other stakeholders, cause for concern with respect to the quality and safety of our vehicles, and for this I offer my heartfelt apologies," he shared.

"During the congressional hearings in the U.S. and various briefings both in Japan and abroad, I received much support in my attempt to uphold Toyota's reputation for good quality," Toyoda added. "That support came in the form of constructive criticism and encouragement, for which I am extremely grateful."

Toyoda took a look at the year that has passed since he took the helm in June 2009, calling it a period full of challenges and difficult decisions.

Some of those tough calls the automaker made included its decision to stop building cars at the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. plant and to no longer be involved with the Formula One World Championship.

"However, even in such a difficult period for Toyota, I am sincerely grateful to our dealers and suppliers who remained fully committed to providing people with cars, and to our employees worldwide for their efforts in working together so that the company will return to stability as soon as possible," he stated.

"And finally, above all, I am sincerely grateful to the more than 7 million people around the world who newly purchased Toyota and Lexus vehicles," Toyoda continued.

Toyota's operating income on a consolidated basis for the year that ended March 31 was 147.5 billion yen, something that Toyoda says is a good sign for future.

"Returning to the black so quickly bodes well as we try and foresee what the next hundred years holds for the automotive industry and devise strategies for future growth," he indicated. "I have positioned FY2010 as the year for a fresh start for Toyota, and as such I intend to steer the company toward new strategies for growth."

Part of the growth plan will be teaming up with Tesla Motors for the development of electric cars.

Tesla's chief executive officer Elon Musk met with Toyoda in the U.S. this spring, and Toyoda got the chance to take one of the European company's electric cars for a spin.

"Simply put, I felt the wind of the future. I gained an understanding of Tesla's technological prowess, and the energy enabling them to make that technology a reality in such a short time," Toyoda stated. "Initiating a once-in-a-century turning point in technology cannot be done by a large corporation like Toyota alone; it also requires the spirit, quick decision-making and flexibility of a venture capital company.

"Toyota was once a venture capital company, before growing into the global corporation it is today," he continued. "It is my strong hope that in working with Tesla, all of us at Toyota will be reminded of the pioneering spirit that founded our company and be inspired to take on the challenges that lie ahead."

Continuing on, Toyoda stressed the company's plans to achieve the mission at the foundation of Toyota, that of "contributing to society through automobiles and services."

While acknowledging the shifting tides of expectations from customers and society, Toyoda contends that Toyota can keep up and grow accordingly.

Critical to achieving that end will be the "faith" among customers, shareholders, communities, dealers, suppliers and employees in the mutual benefits of the company's growth.

"My objective is not simply to achieve growth in terms of expanding Toyota's size: My aim is to maintain sustainable growth by ensuring that all Toyota employees are committed to paying the utmost attention to each and every vehicle that is produced as we endeavor to deliver safe and high-quality cars at affordable prices to people the world over," Toyoda shared.

"Despite the difficult business environment in which Toyota finds itself, I am determined to cultivate a shared mindset among everyone involved in Toyota's businesses and strive to live up to the 'always better cars' motto. In this quest, I ask for your continued support," he concluded.