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US panel summons Toyota's boss Toyota boss to go before Congress
(about 2 hours later)
The head of a US panel investigating Toyota's giant car recall has called on the firm's boss to testify next week - something he has so far declined to do. Toyota's global president has said he will testify to US politicians next week about the carmaker's giant global recall programme.
Edolphus Towns, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, wants Akio Toyoda to "clarify" how the recall is working. Akio Toyoda said he was looking "forward to speaking directly with Congress and the American people".
Mr Toyoda has so far declined to appear before US authorities, saying he was leading the recall effort from Japan. He had previously indicated he would not travel to Washington, instead wishing to lead the recall from Japan.
Mr Toyoda is now due to appear before a congressional committee on Wednesday of next week.
Call for clarification
His apparent change of heart came after the chairman of the committee in question - the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee - formally called Mr Toyoda to go before it.
Democrat Representative Edolphus Towns said he wanted Mr Toyoda to "clarify" how the recall is working.
"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," said Mr Towns, in an open letter.
Toyota is continuing to recall 8.5 million vehicles worldwide.Toyota is continuing to recall 8.5 million vehicles worldwide.
It has been hit by three main faults - faulty accelerator pedals, accelerator pedals getting stuck in floor mats, and a problem with the braking system on its Prius hybrid model.It has been hit by three main faults - faulty accelerator pedals, accelerator pedals getting stuck in floor mats, and a problem with the braking system on its Prius hybrid model.
"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," said Mr Towns, a Democrat Representative, in his open letter.
Toyota has been criticised in the US for being too slow in both starting and implementing the recalls.Toyota has been criticised in the US for being too slow in both starting and implementing the recalls.
Mr Toyoda recently said he planned to travel to the US soon to meet with workers and dealers, but no timescale has yet been released.
Mr Towns' committee is due to meet on Wednesday, 24 February.
It is fair for those asked to appear not to turn up.