Akio Toyoda Postpones Trip to the US

Following reports which surfaced earlier today, saying a US congressman wants to bring Toyota's CEO, Akio Toyoda, in front of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to explain the manufacturer's recalls, the Japanese CEO apparently postponed his scheduled trip to the US for early March.

According to Kyodo News, Toyoda cancelled his trip to the US on account of the heavy snow fall of recent days. Initially, the trip to the States was scheduled for next week. Coincidentally, the congressional hearing is to take place on February 24.

As said, earlier today Rep. Darrell Issa's, the senior Republican on the House Oversight Committee said he wants Toyoda at the hearing.

“Given the number of outstanding questions surrounding Toyota's relationship with U.S. regulators and in the best interests of moving forward, I'd like to help facilitate a dialogue between Mr. Toyoda and lawmakers from both parties and both chambers.

"There certainly is widespread interest from Capitol Hill and the American people to hear directly from him," Issa said in a statement cited by DetNews.

The committee confirmed this course of action may be taken, especially because Toyoda will be in the US towards the end of the month, for a meeting with dealers and suppliers.

“Chairman Towns looks forward to receiving Rep. Issa's letter and to discussing his request,” Jenny Thalheimer Rosenberg, spokeswoman for the House Oversight Committee told Autonews.