Japanese automaker is counting on a trusted veteran with ample U.S. experience, Yoshimi Inaba, when Toyota’s recall problems are scrutinized by Congress later this week.

Toyota never enjoyed same level of success in Europe as the United States, largely because the European market is still dominated by many national manufacturers.

Automaker’s British arm said it received reports of problems with ‘stiff’ gas pedals in November 2008, a year before more serious faults appeared with ‘sticking’ accelerators.

Automaker’s fix for gas pedal problem that led to recall of millions of cars has not come soon enough to prevent consumer backlash that is battering its sales.

Automaker has launched a media campaign to bolster its reputation for quality as nervous customers confront dealers across the country about faulty gas pedal systems.

FDA said Japan-based Nipro Medical Corp. has voluntarily recalled 2 million medical needles because of a risk they can push silicone into patients’ bodies.

Drug developer suspended production at its Jiangsu Yanshen Biological Technology unit to conduct an internal inspection following the discovery of quality control problems.

Automaker is suing a supplier of steering assemblies, claiming it’s costing tens of millions of dollars to repair shaky steering columns in its vehicles.

Only a small percentage of buyers returned vehicles under a 60-day money back guarantee promotion and GM executives are calling them to find out why they weren’t satisfied.

Federal studies released Thursday cannot yet definitively link imported Chinese drywall to health problems or corrosion of pipes and wires that U.S. homeowners have been reporting.