Micheline Maynard Nyt

Is the Obama administration trying to help the Detroit carmakers it bailed out last year by attacking Toyota? And, will those attacks lead to new trade tensions with Japan?

Akio Toyoda, the president of Toyota, was billed as the main attraction at a House hearing on Wednesday into the company's recalls of millions of cars - recalls for which he profusely apologized and took personal responsibility.

Congressional hearings into Toyota's extensive recalls have begun.

The president of Toyota issued his first apology Friday as his troubled automaker expanded its recall to include Europe and it rushed to complete its strategy to modify or replace millions of accelerator pedals.

Is the Obama administration trying to help the Detroit carmakers it bailed out last year by attacking Toyota? And, will those attacks lead to new trade tensions with Japan?

Akio Toyoda, the president of Toyota, was billed as the main attraction at a House hearing on Wednesday into the company's recalls of millions of cars - recalls for which he profusely apologized and took personal responsibility.

Congressional hearings into Toyota's extensive recalls have begun.

The president of Toyota issued his first apology Friday as his troubled automaker expanded its recall to include Europe and it rushed to complete its strategy to modify or replace millions of accelerator pedals.