Toyota Chief to Testify Before Congress
"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 Thursday afternoon. "I look forward to speaking directly with Congress and the American people."
Toyoda had previously said he would not attend a Congressional hearing regarding the recall of millions of his company's vehicles tied to malfunctioning gas pedals. He had indicated that U.S. executives for the company would answer questions instead.
But following an invitation from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which is chaired by Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.), Toyoda changed course.
The hearing, scheduled for next Wednesday, is called "Toyota Gas Pedals: Is the Public At Risk?"
"There appears to be growing public confusion regarding which vehicles may be affected and how people should respond," Towns wrote in his invitation. "In short, the public is unsure as to what exactly the problem is, whether it is safe to drive their cars, or what they should do about it."
In a statement following Toyoda's announcement that he would attend the hearing, Towns and Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), the highest-ranking Republican on the committee, said they are pleased with the decision.
"We believe his testimony will be helpful in understanding the actions Toyota is taking to ensure the safety of American drivers," they said.
According to the committee, the hearing will also encompass the federal government's response to the recall.