Toyota chief ready to testify over recalls: Report

TOKYO: Toyota president Akio Toyoda is prepared to testify at US congressional hearings if he is formally asked to do so, a report by Kyodo news agency said on Saturday.

The report cited company officials, who said Toyota was hoping that if Toyoda appeared in person at the hearings it would help revive trust in its vehicles amid growing criticism of the company in the United States.

US officials and lawmakers are planning to haul in Toyota officials, including the embattled Toyoda, to explain massive recalls and answer accusations they were slow to respond to accelerator and brake problems.

The House of Representatives plans to hold committee hearings with witnesses including Toyota's North America president Yoshimi Inaba on February 24 and 25, with the Senate set to hold a committee hearing on March 2.

The Japanese auto giant said earlier today that it had been arranging a series of meetings between Toyoda and officials from the US Department of Transportation "around early March."

Kyodo later quoted company officials as saying the automaker would change Toyoda's schedule if he was asked to testify at the congressional hearings.