Toyota Will Pay Large NHTSA Fine
By Michelle Krebs April 19, 2010Reports late Sunday from Washington, D.C. and written by the Los Angeles Times said Toyota Motor Corp. agreed to pay a record $16.4-million fine dealt the company by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for delaying a recall of potentially sticking throttle pedals in 2.3 million vehicles in the U.S.
It is the largest fine ever levied against an automaker for a recall-related matter and brings a certain closure - although probably far from a finish - to an uncharacteristically flawed chapter in Toyota's corporate history.
Although Toyota is paying the fine, it will not assume full legal responsibility for the charge of deliberately withholding key safety information - there apparently will be no formal admission of breaking any law. The distinction likely will be important in future legal proceedings about accidents attributed to unintended acceleration, as well as litigation from investors and owners claiming the situation has damaged their finances.
The NHTSA claims Toyota had evidence from other regions indicating problems with the accelerator pedals, yet it was at least several months before it notified the agency of the defect. - Bill Visnic, Senior Editor
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