Legislators expressed disbelief and frustration on Wednesday during a congressional hearing about General Motors’ delayed response to ignition switch recalls.
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations heard testimony from GM CEO Mary Barra and GM internal investigator Anton Valukas about the company’s handling of the ignition switch recalls.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) called a report that was recently released by GM a “maddening and deadly” breakdown that unfolded over a decade.
“Engineers didn’t comprehend how their cars operated, or how vehicle systems were linked together,” Upton said. “The company believed a car that stalled while driving wasn’t necessarily a safety concern. Investigators let investigations drift for years despite having proof right before their eyes that an airbag system wasn’t deploying when it should have. And all of this existed in a bureaucratic culture where employees avoided taking responsibility with a nod of the head.”
Upton said congressional investigation into GM’s handling of the recalls would continue.
House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Vice Chairman Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) said one of the most disconcerting aspects of the report on GM was the company’s recognition that everyone was responsible for fixing the problem, yet nobody took responsibility.
“That is unacceptable for one of America’s flagship companies and one that millions of people rely on every day,” Burgess said. “The Valukas report is a start because the first step to solving a problem is identifying it. Now that the problem is identified, it is my hope that GM will heed the advice of the recommendations provided so that this never happens again. The 13 deaths that resulted from this must not be in vain.”