Calif. Prosecutor Sues Toyota Over Defects

(AP)  The Orange County district attorney has filed a lawsuit against Toyota Motor Corp., accusing the automaker of knowingly selling hundreds of thousands of vehicles with acceleration defects.

District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said at a news conference Friday that his office has the right to bring consumer protective action on behalf of Orange County residents.

"We need to make sure that when Toyota says 'Oh, what a feeling' and 'Moving forward' that they are talking about great cars," Rackauckas said, referring to the company's slogans.

Toyota spokesman Mike Michels said he had no comment because the company hasn't been served with the lawsuit.

Orange County's lawsuit accuses Toyota of using deceptive business practices to become the world's top automaker. The suit seeks civil penalties of $2,500 per violation under the Unfair Business Practices Act, along with the recovery of attorney fees and investigative costs.

"We demand to know: Did Toyota, in their relentless pursuit to become the No. 1 carmaker in the United States, put profits over people?" Rackauckas asked.

The district attorney's office hired a private law firm with expertise in consumer safety liability cases to help with the case.

Toyota has recalled more than 6 million vehicles in the United States because of acceleration problems in multiple models and braking issues in the Prius hybrid. Regulators have linked 52 deaths to crashes allegedly caused by accelerator problems.

At least 89 class-action lawsuits have been filed against the Japanese automaker, which could cost the company $3 billion or more.

Toyota's U.S. shares fell 12 cents to $76.82 in Friday afternoon trading.

More on Toyota's Troubles:

Prius Driver in NY Crash Was Dealer-Bound
Prius Panic Drives Fear, Real and Imagined
Toyota to Expand Tundra Pickup Recall
Out-of-Control Toyota Reports Multiplying
911 Call Reveals Prius Driver's Terror
Toyota's Prius Recall Coming "Soon"
Toyota Fires Away at Acceleration Theory
House Panel Seeks Details on Toyota Recall
New Reports of Post-Recall Toyota Troubles
No Fix? Trouble with Some Repaired Toyotas

[CincyJazzy]

MSNBC is now reporting "Investigators didn't find expected brake wear, newspaper says"

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35855757/ns/business-autos/

[hateisafourletterword]

Great idea California. Let's sue Toyota today - that should net you around $3 billion. Good for another 3 days of spending in Sacramento.

Next is who? GE - probably can get $5 billion for something. Just keep the legal extortion shakedowns coming.

I know, sue GM for something. The U.S. government owns it so the pockets are deep and limitless if you listen to the Senators and Congresspeople from CA.

Budget solved! And lots of jobs for attorneys - we all know how productive attorneys are right?

[DocD--2008]

The ONLY ones who will get anything from this, is the County and the mainly, as usual, the crooked lawyers. The first thing this country needs to do is outlaw lawyers.

[hateisafourletterword]

Great idea - sue Toyota. Now every person who made up their claim will get sued too right Mr. County Attorney?

[intheusa]

Toyota makes the finest cars and trucks in the world. They set the bar where all others compete. Its unfortunate that some people have lost lives or injury on some of the vehicles. I own one a Camary and also a Chevy truck. I will buy another Toyota in time.

Least we not forget some of shady tactics used by the American car makers !

[tmittelstaed]

Toyota makes their share of duds they just hide them better. Talk to anyone who bought a Toyota Tercel and they will tell you all about valve seals that failed before 100K miles causing the engine to not pass emissions. They are only number 1 due to marketing hype, just like GM was only number 1 5 years ago due to marketing hype. Most new car buyers are stupid and don't research.

[askagain]

This is just another money grab for the state of California. There are already at least 89 class action suits against Toyota. California just wants part of the action. California is nearly bankrupt and is looking for ways to raise money. Even without the California lawsuit, Toyota stands to lose billions of dollars. Now they will have additional lawsuits from money grubbing states who want part of the action.

[magnumdr]

It is about time that sombody sues the toyota company. The US should tell Toyota to have all of these cars off from our highways right now. Other drivers on the highways are subject to harm from these cars to.

[hateisafourletterword]

More like other drivers are subject to harm from the mostly kooky people who drive Toyota's and smell a great class action lawsuit.

[robbyr2]

Land of fruits and nuts.