Lawmakers just getting started on scrutiny of Toyota

[Ardent15]

"Reporting from Washington — Akio Toyoda's moment in the national spotlight may be over, but Washington is just getting started.

A day after the president of Toyota Motor Corp. apologized to Congress and millions of his customers over the automaker's handling of sudden acceleration problems, lawmakers said Thursday that they were planning further hearings scrutinizing both Toyota and the federal agency that oversees it.

One possible outcome: new laws aimed at keeping regulators up to date with the rapid advances in automotive technology, including computer-controlled engine systems.

"This is not the end," said Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.), chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which held a hearing Wednesday that featured Toyoda and his top U.S. lieutenant, Yoshimi Inaba. A day earlier, the House Commerce and Energy Committee held a similar hearing."

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/26/business/la-fi-toyota-next26-2010feb26

[obxhead]

1. wtf is up with all these toy yoda's I keep reading about

and seeing on TeeVee. CNN had it splashed across the screen for 2 hours the other day as well. ;)

[Jakes Progress]

2. Should we recall all models

with multiple NHTSA complaints about unintentional acceleration? That would mean all makes that sell cars in the US would have to recall models.

There's a problem here, but there is also media hype and congressional grandstanding.