Congress v. Toyota: Civil Melee Between Reps and Execs Pocked by Few Tantrums Though Some Grandstandings

by Gunnar Heinrich ::: img CSPAN ::: Toyota Recall Congressional Hearings

AKIO Toyoda, grandson of Kiichiro Toyoda, Toyota’s founder with (almost) the same name stepped deep into America’s body politic today as an arena of glum Capitol Hill spectators, reporters, attorneys, Toyota executives, translators, victims, independent experts, all took part in proceedings before the members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Mr. Toyoda apologized, suggesting that Toyota’s rapid growth had eclipsed its ability to effectively govern itself thereby leading to the massive recalls over instances of unintended acceleration that date back to 2001.

“Toyota’s priorities have traditionally been the following: first, safety; second, quality; third, volume. These priorities became confused,” he said in a written (English) statement that broadcasted pitch-perfect Japanese humility.

“For me, when the cars are damaged, it is as though I am as well.”

As many as 34 people may have died because of a fault that may be linked to an electrical malfunction and not a “sticky pedal” or misplaced floor mat.

Throughout the afternoon, Mr. Toyoda, a middle aged man with black hair and spectacles, gave conciliatory, if restrained testimony through a demure female translator. His North American president, Yoshimi Inaba, spoke for himself and sometimes on Mr. Toyoda’s behalf in rhythmic, lightly accented English.

Their testimony was preceded by NHTSA’s Ray Lahood who took a more combative stance with congressional representatives. At one point, Mr. Lahood growled that his agency was a “lapdog for nobody.” Some members had questioned the “negotiations” that NHTSA held with Toyota over previous, limited recalls.

But the majority of the time and focus was given to the Japanese executives, who, clad conservatively in gray and blue, sat grim faced. For them, it was an acrimonious afternoon subject to humiliation- as such political trials can be – but it was not a “blasting”, “roasting”, or “withering hurricane” as other reports have described.

Tempers rarely flared.

Indeed, it seemed like some representatives were having difficulty putting hard questions to their excruciatingly polite Japanese witnesses as each of their inquiries were returned with answers that were modest, carefully weighed and earnestly put…if ultimately unenlightening.

Mr. Inaba at one point responded to one congressman’s query about why Toyota’s North American operations were initially unaware of European recalls by saying that, “shamefully,” he didn’t know the answer. When asked technical questions, he correctly noted that he was but an “amateur” in comparison to Toyota’s engineers and wasn’t well qualified to respond.

Some representatives remarked on how “impressed” they were that scion of Toyota had deigned to take part in the congressional hearings. Though Pennsylvanian rep. Paul Kanjorski, a man perhaps old enough to remember the second World War, remarked aloud to a colleague from Indiana that “they’re killing our people.”

Some of the day’s most heated remarks came from D.C.’s own selfless rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton when she demanded to know whether her own Toyota Camry Hybrid was safe.

The assembly burst into laughter as Mr. Inaba tried to reassure the irate congresswoman that her Camry Hybrid wasn’t part of the recall. She then batted back and forth with Mr. Inaba on what he meant by referring to her car as “American”.

“Doesn’t it have his name?” She asked, nodding to the Japanese CEO.

Sadly, there were few reps whose questions amounted to clearly articulated points of inquiry. The sharpest questions came from those who cited Toyota’s internal memo which claimed success in negotiating a limited recall with NHTSA that saved the company $100 million.

Representative Jackie Speier waxed incredulous that neither Mr. Toyoda nor Mr. Inaba didn’t know the substance of corporate meetings with NHTSA and demanded to see documents pertaining to those meetings.

Former presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, echoed the skepticism and demanded a second round of inquiry.

Geoff Davis, a member of the Ways and Means Committee and a representative for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District which is home to a Toyota assembly plant stopped by to comment.

Without acknowledging the victims nor the massive recalls, the congressman displayed a certain bias as with a single rhetorical stroke he blasted the inflammatory nature of the hearing.

He then read a prepared written statement that sounded like a paid-for advertisement for Toyota; offering that Toyota was a model corporate citizen, faithful contributor to his election fund community, and a large employer in his district.

Needless to say, it’s doubtful whether Americans’ interests were competently served this afternoon. The hearing was a largely ceremonial process, though without any noticeable bowing.

If nothing else, for the moment, both sides of the story were heard and recorded before all involved parties head for court.