The Japanese automotive giant Toyota has agreed to pay $32.4 million in fines related to two recent vehicle recalls, bringing the total amount the company must pay this year to $48.8 million, U.S. officials announced.
"Toyota will pay the maximum legally permissible fine, $16.375 million in one case, and $16.050 million in the other, for failing to meet the provisions of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act regarding reporting safety defects to the national regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The two latest fines followed a record fine of $16.4 million in April, with which the automaker resolved allegations of concealing defects in the accelerator pedal, which have been linked to several dozen fatalities.
Toyota recalled approximately 10 million vehicles worldwide in late 2009 and early 2010, undermining the once-stellar reputation of the company and triggering a series of investigations in the U.S."Safety is our highest priority, and we take our responsibility to protect consumers seriously. I am pleased that Toyota has agreed to pay the maximum amount and I look forward to continued cooperation in the future to ensure consumer safety," LaHood said. (H)
