John Dingell presses Toyota executive in congressional hearing on recalls
U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Michigan, pressed a key Toyota executive testifying before Congress today about whether the Japanese automaker's recall crisis is connected to electronic controls within its vehicles.
Dingell, according to the Los Angeles Times and other reports, got frustrated when Toyota Motor Sales USA President Jim Lentz refused to give "yes or no" answers to his inquiries.
The Toyota Technical Center, a 1,100-person engineering center in
York Township, resides within Dingell's Congressional district.
U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Michigan
The technical center has been cleared of any responsibility associated with the recalls.
Earlier today, Lentz said the sudden acceleration affecting some recalled Toyota cars was "not an electronic issue."
But he later said the recalls might "not totally" solve the problem
and, pressed by Dingell, further backed off his prior statements, the L.A.
Times reported. The Times reported:
Rep. John D. Dingell, the longest-serving member of the House and a long-time advocate for the auto industry that is crucial to his Detroit district, on Tuesday challenged Toyota’s top official in the United States in a series of crisp questions about whether the company’s recalls had totally solved the company’s problems.
James Lentz, president of Toyota’s U.S. operations, looked uncomfortable as the series of questions rained on his head like a winter’s hail. He had earlier conceded that the recalls had not completely solved the problem.
“I’m just a poor Polish lawyer from Detroit. Can you please just tell me in yes or no,” Dingell pressed. “Have you ruled out non-mechanical failure, yes or no?”
“We have not ruled it out,” Lentz replied.
Contact AnnArbor.com’s Nathan Bomey at (734) 623-2587 or nathanbomey@annarbor.com or follow him on Twitter. You can also subscribe to AnnArbor.com Business Review's weekly e-newsletter or the upcoming breaking business news e-newsletter.
Comments
Top Cat
Wed, Feb 24, 2010 : 9:12 a.m.
Congressman for Life Dingell has no credibility on anything auto related. He has been actively involved in Federal legislation over his terms that contributed to the destruction of the domestic industry. I met him and spoke with him briefly this past December and he was barely coherent.
xmo
Wed, Feb 24, 2010 : 8:42 a.m.
A lot of Toyota workers live in Dingell's district. He is already in trouble for his health care stance, now he is bashing one of the biggest company's in his district. Go get them John! You need to retire!
Dennis
Tue, Feb 23, 2010 : 8:23 p.m.
I think the Congressma was rather easy on the Toyota pres. today. The Congressman didn't ask the Japaneses head of Toyota to drive to Washington from Japan. Perhaps it is time for the American consumer to realize where their money acutually goes when they purchase that foriegn car. Yes it may be assembled here, but the cash lands right in the heart of foriegn countries, NOT in the heart of America, where we live and make our home.
Porksword
Tue, Feb 23, 2010 : 7:07 p.m.
Hey Joad, American company but the part in question is manufactured in Canada. And no matter where the defective part was made, it is still their duty to stand behind there product and repair it if it is a danger to their customers. As far as Dingell, he is just dishing out what the congressman that unfairly hammered the Big 3 did. GM and Ford were already on their way back with quality vehicles when the bankers decided to screw up the credit market and made it near impossible for anyone to get a decent car loan. By the way, I drive a Toyota, so no bias here.
Brian Kuehn
Tue, Feb 23, 2010 : 6:39 p.m.
John Dingell, along with Henry Waxman, Bart Stupak and the rest of Congress, are trying to get their name in the media. Elections are coming up in less than a year and everyone in Congress is anxious to focus the voters on something other than their abysmal legislative performance. My fervent hope is that a quality candidate steps forward to challenge John Dingell in November. Please, no "family values" Republicans, "big government" Democrats or career politicians need apply. My fear is that Mr. Dingell will ultimately decide not run and his son or wife will inherit his seat. It is no secret that both are waiting in the wings.
snapshot
Tue, Feb 23, 2010 : 6:33 p.m.
Jenna, The Pinto that caught fire was being driven without a gas cap and had a piece of cloth stuffed into the neck where the gas cap should have been. The Pinto was a well built vehicle but a lot of folks didn't maintain them but they still ran. That why there were so many junk Pintos on the road. The basic engine is still being used today. Does your neighbor you mentioned in another post own a Toyota?
Jenna Thom
Tue, Feb 23, 2010 : 6:14 p.m.
@ Tom - Has it not occurred to you that maybe Toyota has the reputation of high quality because of their refusal to tell the public about any possible recalls. They have covered this up for years allowing the public to think that their quality was higher than the American companies when in fact it might have actually been lower for the past ten years. What amazes me is that I have not seen anywhere where in the press the mention of the Ford Pinto case from the 1970's where the company decided it was cheaper to let people die and get sued than it was to recall the cars and fix the problem. This case is taught in every business ethics and business law class and I believe was the start of our auto safety regulations which Toyota is now ignoring. It sure seems like Toyota has intentionally and purposely put the public at risk and they should be held responsible. I thank Congressman Dingell for trying to bring out the truth. I have no sympathy for Toyota.
snapshot
Tue, Feb 23, 2010 : 5:50 p.m.
I agree that Dingell has somewhat of a biased position in this investigation. Can he remain neutral? I don't think but I also don't think it will matter. It's a civil matter not a congressional issue. Was there a congrssional hearing on the Explorer roll overs, I can't remember. Toyota workers are non union are they not?
Tom Joad
Tue, Feb 23, 2010 : 5:34 p.m.
The Big 3/4 have been making abysmal quality cars for decades and Toyota, a victim of their huge success stumbles when an American parts supplier goofs up...and now the big, bad Congressman is going to rake them through the coals