Top Republican wants head of Toyota to testify on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON (AP) — A top Republican on a House panel investigating Toyota’s massive recalls called Wednesday for the company’s president to testify before Congress later this month, seeking an “open exchange” before the American public.

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., said Toyota president Akio Toyoda should meet with lawmakers and testify before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Feb. 24.

The automaker’s top executive and grandson of the company’s founder has said he plans to travel to the United States soon to meet with American workers and dealers.

“There certainly is widespread interest from Capitol Hill and the American people to hear directly from him,” Issa said.

He said he would ask Chairman Edolphus Towns, D-N.Y., who leads the committee, to invite Toyoda to participate in the hearing.