Business Strategy – Washington — Akio Toyoda, the president of Toyota, was billed as the main attraction at a House hearing Wednesday into the company’s recalls of millions of cars — recalls for which he profusely apologized and took personal responsibility.

But the transportation secretary, Raymond LaHood, offered more surprises in testimony that was sometimes heated, including many occasions when he was unable or declined to answer detailed questions about his department’s dealings with the auto company.

Both men spent hours before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, one of three Congressional panels investigating the recall of more than six million vehicles and the delay in responding to problems of sudden acceleration.

Mr. Toyoda, with a translator to his right and the company’s chief operating officer for North America, Yoshimi Inaba, on his left, spoke in a calm, detached manner.

He was criticized by a representative on the committee for failing to show adequate remorse for those who had been killed in accidents involving acceleration problems.

“I extend my condolences from the deepest part of my heart,” Mr. Toyoda said.

Mr. LaHood, however, seemed defensive throughout the hearing. He initially was supposed to be joined by David Strickland, the newly confirmed head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Although Mr. Strickland and other officials of his agency were at the hearing, Mr. LaHood insisted on appearing alone, saying he bore full responsibility for his department’s actions.

As questioning of Mr. LaHood continued into its third hour, he grew testy when asked by Representative Jason Chaffetz, a Republican of Utah, whether Toyota was being treated in the same way as General Motors, which received a government bailout, and other carmakers. Read more »