Toyota CEO agrees to testify before Congressional panel

The announcement was made in this regard on Twitter by the Republican Congressman Darrell Issa, ranking member of the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee.

"Breaking Toyota CEO agrees to testify!" Issa wrote on his Twitter account. "We'll have CEO Toyoda before Team Oversight."

The hearing is scheduled for February 24 and will focus on the problems with Toyota's gas pedals that spurred reports of unexpected acceleration in Toyota vehicles.
The company has recalled numerous models, including the popular hybrid Prius.

"We are pleased Toyoda accepted the invitation to testify before the Committee," Issa and Congressman Edolphus Town said in a statement. "We believe his testimony will be helpful in understanding the actions Toyota is taking to ensure the safety of American drivers," they said.

Meanwhile, the White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said, "Everybody is rightly concerned about the recalls that have happened. (Transport) Secretary LaHood and others have worked diligently to make sure that these investigations were taken seriously. We'll continue to only have the safety of those drivers in mind and hope that Toyota will do all that it can to rectify this dangerous situation."