Toyota Could Face More Fines, U.S. Transportation Secretary Says
By Michelle Krebs May 10, 2010U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Monday that Toyota could face more fines in 
the States over its handling of vehicle recalls for potential sudden acceleration.
LaHood briefed reporters in Japan Monday after spending several hours with Toyota President Akio Toyoda at the company headquarters and touring its facilities. He said the U.S. government has several pending investigation into Toyota recalls and is reviewing 500,000 pages of documents. The investigations could result in more fines in the coming months. Toyota also faces hundreds of lawsuits.
Toyoda told reports that the automaker is cooperating fully with NHTSA "in working toward a common goal of creating a safe automobile society."
Toyota already agreed to pay a record $16.4 million fine levied by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in April for failing to promptly report flaws in vehicle accelerator pedals that led to the recall of more than 8 million vehicles globally.
LaHood called his talks with Toyoda "candid, frank, serious." He said he wants to see real change in Toyota listening to customers and its own executives in North America. He's reserving judgment as to whether that is truly happening.
LaHood also plans visits to Honda and Nissan during his Japan visit. In the meantime, Toyoda plans a return visit to the United States in the fall to meet with members of Congress, LaHood said.
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Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood
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