Akio Toyoda, Toyota's president and also grandson of the company's founder, has delayed a visit to the United States until early March, a news report said Thursday, amid calls by lawmakers that he testify before Congress about the automaker's safety issues. As is widely known by now, he has publicly apologized for a series of massive recalls of what had been top-selling models over quality defects and safety concerns.
Toyoda said Tuesday he planned to visit the U.S. soon to meet Toyota workers and dealers there. He spoke shortly after the world's largest automaker announced it was recalling 437,000 Prius and other hybrids over brake problems, bringing the total number of vehicles recalled by Toyota since November to 8.5 million. The other recalls had been for floor mats that can entangle the gas pedal and gas pedals that can stick, causing sudden acceleration. Sudden acceleration = bad.
Toyota's handling of the recalls has led to a storm of criticism that has thrown the automaker's reputation for quality out the proverbial window. Japan's Kyodo News agency said Thursday that Toyoda will visit Washington in early March and meet with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and other government officials. The trip was originally scheduled for this week, but was rearranged due to heavy snow in Washington. Okay, I'll accept that excuse. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee had planned to hold a hearing into Toyota's recalls on Wednesday, but that too had to be postponed due to the inclement weather. As of now the meeting is rescheduled for February 24. The House Energy and Commerce Committee plans for its own meeting on Feb. 25. Toyota Motor North America Chairman and chief executive Yoshimi Inaba is scheduled to appear at both those sessions along with LaHood and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Administrator David Strickland.
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