Toyota forms PAC

Toyota logo.240x160Toyota’s North American subsidiary has formed a political action committee.

The Center For Public Integrity reports that the Japanese automaker is adding another influence vehicle to its already sizable government outreach operation. The PAC  may raise up to $5,000 per year from eligible company employees. â€śToyota is establishing the Toyota/Lexus PAC which will allow employees, acting together, to support candidates who share the company’s interests, values and goals,” Toyota spokesman Ed Lewis said in a statement to the Center for Public Integrity. CPI reports that the company is not reluctant when it comes to lobbying in Washington. “In recent years, it’s spent between $3 million and $6 million annually on federally reportable lobbying efforts, including $3.35 million during 2012, U.S. Senate disclosures indicate. That’s consistently more federal lobbying than any other foreign automaker, including Honda and Nissan, although generally less than domestic car companies General Motors and Ford.”