National Post quotes Ulrike Schaede in feature
Mr. Toyoda goes to Washington
03/03/2010
Megan Housley,
National Post
In this occasional feature, the National Post tells you everything you need to know about a complicated issue. Today, Megan Housley looks at the issues behind this week's congressional hearing in Washington over Toyota's handling of public safety concerns.
Why was Toyota hauled before Congress? Aren't recalls normally handled by the U.S. NHTSA?
Yes, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration handles recalls -- there were 16.9 million in 2009. But the Toyota case was "commandeered" by U.S. President Barack Obama's Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, according to The Wall Street Journal, which said, "He skewered the firm for being 'a little safety deaf,' complained it hadn't been responsive and bragged it was the government that forced a recall." Ulrike Schaede, professor of Japanese business at University of California at San Diego, said it was within Congress's authority to review the matter. "For better or for worse it's part of the U.S. political system," she said.
Read the full feature for more from Schaede.
Related Links
Schaede is an authority on Japanese business organization. Her expertise was recently utilized by The San Diego Union-Tribune, also reporting on Toyota's slide.
More from Ulrike Schaede:
The New York Times
The Examiner
The Japan Times
The Post and Courier
