Toyota president to appear before panel

Akio Toyoda said in a statement, "I have received Congressman (Edolphus) Towns' invitation to testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on February 24 and I accept."

"I look forward to speaking directly with Congress and the American people," he said, The Washington Post reported Friday.

The panel is investigating a string of vehicle recalls by Toyota Motor Co., the largest involving 2.3 million U.S. vehicles due to a problem with sticking gas pedals.

The committee also issued a subpoena ordering former Toyota attorney Dimitrios Biller to turn over "all documents related to … Toyota's handling of alleged motor vehicle defects and related litigation."

Biller contends Toyota kept incriminating data secret to prevent the information from being used against it in court, the newspaper said.

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