Toyota exec: Electronics not to blame for accelerations

WASHINGTON (AP) — Toyota's top U.S. sales executive plans to tell Congress that the automaker believes faulty electronics are not to blame for unintended accelerations in its vehicles.

Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., will tell lawmakers Thursday that consultants for the company have conducted 11,000 hours of testing and analysis of the electronic throttle controls on Toyotas.

In excerpts of his testimony released today, Lentz says the company "remains confident" that electronics did not cause the problems that led to more than 8 million recalled vehicles.

A House committee is having a hearing Thursday to review complaints of electronic problems in Toyotas. Safety groups have said electronics could be the cause of safety issues.