New York: Japanese auto giant Toyota has agreed to pay the US government a fine of nearly 16.4 million dollars for concealing gas pedal defects, a senior US government official announced late Sunday.
Business | General
Toyota agrees to pay $16.4m fine: US official
It is the largest civil fine against an automaker ever sought by the NHTSA
- AFP
- Published: 07:50 April 19, 2010
- Image Credit: AP
- Unsold 2010 Toyota Prius sedans form a long line at a Toyota dealership in Lakewood, Colorado.
"By paying the full civil penalty Toyota is accepting responsibility for hiding the safety defect...in violation of the law," the official told AFP.
A Toyota spokesman declined to comment. But a well-informed source told AFP the company was expected to sign the necessary legal documents early Monday.
"They've agreed to pay the maximum fine in record time, the most we can get," the source said. "They have 30 days to pay."
Earlier this month, the US Department of Transportation said it was seeking "the maximum civil penalty of 16.375 million dollars against Toyota" after it failed to report its safety defects in a timely manner.
Toyota had failed to report "the dangerous 'sticky pedal' defect for at least four months, despite knowing of the potential risk to consumers," said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the department's watchdog.
Related Links
- How to fix a faulty Toyota accelerator
- Toyota sales in Japan rebound 50.7%
- Al Futtaim Motors focuses on customer service for growth
- Toyota stops sale of Lexus GX460
- Toyota to recall nearly 13,000 cars over mats
- Toyota accelerator lawsuits to be combined
- Al Futtaim temporarily halts sales of Lexus SUV
It is the largest civil fine against an automaker ever sought by the NHTSA.
Toyota has recalled around 2.3 million cars in the United States for the pedal defect.
Worldwide it has recalled more than eight million cars worldwide over several problems, including the sticking accelerator pedal which caused cars to speed out of control.
Toyota had until Monday to agree to pay the fine, or contest it. If the two parties had not agreed a settlement, the matter could have gone to court.
More from Business General
More from Business
Business Editor's choice
-
They tend to ‘scrutinise’ wealth managers more
Investors now active in managing capital
-
Cyprus returns to holiday island mode
The government has since put the priority on tourism, long a major money earner, as an anchor for the economy
-
Managed exuberance second time around
Stock market celebrations tempered by a sense of caution