Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday it will suspend political donations to U.S. lawmakers who opposed the certification of Joe Biden's win in the presidential election in January.
The move by the world's largest automaker came after a U.S. civic group criticized its donations to Republican lawmakers who supported former President Donald Trump's claim to have won the election.
"We understand that the PAC (political action committee) decision to support select members of Congress who contested the results troubled some stakeholders," Toyota said in a statement.
"We are actively listening to our stakeholders and, at this time, we have decided to stop contributing to those members of Congress who contested the certification of certain states in the 2020 election," it added.
Toyota, which has donated to both Republicans and Democrats, has not disclosed how long the company will suspend the contributions.
According to the civic group, Toyota donated a total of $56,000 to 38 lawmakers who voted against Biden's electoral certification, making it one of the top contributors along with such companies as retailer Walmart Inc. and airplane maker Boeing Co.
Microsoft Corp. and General Electric Co. have also suspended similar donations through 2022, according to Reuters.
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