Texas governor backs Toyota

David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau

Washington -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry defended Toyota Motor Corp., suggesting that "union activists" and others are pushing criticism of the automaker.

In a Feb. 16 letter to the top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Perry wrote that Toyota "is a valued employer and corporate citizen and an integral part of the Texas economy." The letter was released by his office today.

Perry is the sixth governor to back Toyota in letters to Congress in recent days. At least one of those, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, plans to be in Washington next week as congressional hearings into Toyota's recalls open.

He noted that Toyota and its suppliers employ 3,000 workers at its San Antonio assembly plant that produces the Tundra, and soon will produce the Tacoma. And he said Toyota's 83 Texas dealers employ 7,500 people, with an annual payroll topping $300 million.

Toyota has recalled more than 6 million vehicles in the United States due to sudden acceleration concerns. It is halting production again at two North American assembly plants for a few days, after shuttering six plants for a week last month.

The company faces congressional hearings that begin Tuesday.

"The company has taken big steps to enhance its reputation for quality and to repair vehicles," Perry wrote. "It does sometimes appear, however, that the negative news is being encouraged by plaintiffs' trial lawyers, union activists and those interested in cutting into Toyota's market share."

Perry said that "Toyota workers are unfortunately caught in the middle" and everyone should "be able to agree that consumer and highway safety must take priority over grandstanding."

Perry, a Republican, is running against Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison for re-election. She is ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, which is holding its own Toyota hearing on March 2 -- the same day as the Texas gubernatorial primary.

dshepardson@detnews.com (202) 662-8735

From The Detroit