Toyota CEO apologizes for recall, accidents

WASHINGTON (AP) — Akio Toyoda, scion of the beleaguered Toyota empire, is apologizing today before a House committee investigating deadly flaws that sparked the recall of 8.5 million cars.

Toyoda, the automaker's 53-year-old chief executive, says the company grew too fast to keep up with safety controls.

"We pursued growth over the speed at which we were able to develop our people and our organization," Toyoda said in testimony prepared for delivery today. "I regret that this has resulted in the safety issues described in the recalls we face today, and I am deeply sorry for any accidents that Toyota drivers have experienced."

An apology won't be enough for the feisty panel of lawmakers on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in a year in which every one faces re-election.

Nor will any culture gap; Japanese CEOs typically serve symbolic roles akin to figureheads without much power to control operations.

Toyoda at first declined to appear before the panel but acquiesced last week when he was officially invited. He shouldn't expect an easy day. His appearance comes as Japan opened its own investigation into unintended acceleration with Toyota and other vehicles in that country.

In advance of the hearing on Capitol Hill, Rep. Paul Kanjorski, a member of the committee, said he expects a lot from Toyoda. "I'm naive enough to believe that a global CEO is a global CEO," he said, adding that an apology alone will not suffice.