Toyota was slapped with two new fines totaling $32.4 million (the statutory maximum) for its failure to disclose known safety defects. That’s serious stuff. Toyota chose silence over required disclosure. The government has now fined Toyota a total of $48.8 million dollars – the largest penalty ever dealt to an automaker. The defects include the gas pedal which may cause what is known as “sudden acceleration” and relay rods in the steering system.
Why didn’t Toyota disclose these defects? At risk was their reputation for quality and value. A reputation that has allowed them in a relatively short time (30 years or so) to surpass GM and Ford in the sale of several vehicle categories. The government must continue digging and Toyota executives must take a deep breath and do the right thing. Disclose, disclose, disclose. Toyota must put integrity and safety before profits.
We commend the federal government and Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood for their work on this issue. Manufacturers must be held responsible for defects they create, but even more strictly responsible for defects they willingly ignore at the peril of their customers.
Assisted by Zach Kady