Money / Toyota Toyota Chief Will Appear Before Congress After All Akia Toyoda accepts formal invitation from congressman By John Johnson, Newser Staff Posted Feb 18, 2010 5:54 PM CST Copied Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda speaks during a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi) Toyota's president has changed his mind and will appear before a House committee to answer questions about his company's recent troubles. The switch by Akio Toyoda came after he received a formal invitation from Rep. Edolphus Towns, reports Bloomberg. "I look forward to speaking directly with Congress and the American people," said Toyoda, who had initially planned on sending an underling. The hearing is Feb. 24. (More Toyota stories.) Report an error