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Toyota Challenges Republic Investigation'

21 August 1997

Toyota Challenges Republic Investigation'

    TORRANCE, Calif., Aug. 21 -- The following statement is in
response to Republic's press conference announcing the findings of an
investigation conducted by 23 former attorneys general.  It is attributable to
Jim Press, senior vice president, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.
    "The American way is to have an unbiased, full and complete
investigation_to gather information from both sides of a dispute.  These
former attorneys general seem to have forgotten that practice because Toyota
was never contacted about this investigation.  It seems easy to pay 23 people
to come to a conclusion when only one side of the story is presented.
    "Toyota's multiple ownership policies are fair and have been
overwhelmingly supported by our dealer council.  We're anxious to defend our
policies before an impartial body, but Republic is tap dancing around the
legal system to avoid any definitive conclusions being issued.
    "This Republic p.r. stunt was held in New York to entertain Wall Street.
We have tried in good faith to negotiate with Republic and discovered their
version of compromise is for Toyota to bow to their wishes.  Republic's
history of storming an industry and then selling out has forced Toyota to take
a cautious approach.  We've spent 40 years building relationships with our
dealers and customers in this country and don't intend to let the Republic
conglomerate steamroller crush our locally owned neighborhood dealers.
Reasonable limits to control Republic's appetite are justified."

SOURCE  Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.