Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda has accepted United States House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Ed Towns’ invitation to testify in Washington next week.
With public concern now at a fever pitch over Toyota’s recent wave of safety recalls, the United States government is stepping up the pressure on the automaker’s CEO. Toyota head Akio Toyoda said earlier this week in Japan that he would not attend the House hearing scheduled for next Wednesday on Toyota’s recent safety concerns, but later received a formal invite from the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform committee.
“I have received Congressman Towns’ invitation to testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on February 24 and I accept,” Toyoda said in a statement released by the automaker. ” I look forward to speaking directly with Congress and the American people.”
Toyoda – grandson of the automaker’s founder – has been glaringly absent during the company’s recent recall woes, leaving Toyota Motor Sales president Jim Lentz to take much of the heat. Lentz will be the lead witness during a February 23 House hearing, but new pressure from the federal government could see Toyoda take the stand on the following day.
Toyoda previously announced a planned trip to the U.S. in March, but gave no further details on his travel plans.
References
1. ‘House committee invites Toyota…’ view
2. ‘Toyota’s no-show CEO…’ view
