Australia

Toyota emissions: company faces biggest claim in Australian history

About half a million Australians are set to go head-to-head with Toyota in one of the biggest lawsuits in the country’s legal history.

A class action lawsuit was filed Monday in Victoria’s Supreme Court by Maddens attorney, with the lead attorney flagging a potential $1 billion payment from Toyota. Australian Associated Press report.

Popular Toyota vehicles such as Hi-Lux, LandCruiser, RAV4, Prado, Fortuner, Granvia and HiAce are involved in the lawsuit, which applies to vehicles purchased after February 2016.

The allegation alleges that Toyota circumvented Australian standards and used “deactivation devices” to mask the vehicle’s emissions.

The lawsuit will allege that some Toyota vehicles used “sophisticated engineering” and “multiple sensors” to comply with emissions standards during testing conditions, said special counsel at Maddens Law Firm. Brendan Pendergast said.

However, in practical use, these methods were ineffective.

Pendergast argues that through deliberate engineering intervention rather than accident, these vehicles are fitted with what is commonly referred to as defeat devices.

“Once a vehicle is under load or reaches speeds typically required by the normal purchaser of the vehicle, the vehicle will no longer comply with emission standards.”

Pendergast argued that buyers may have been persuaded to buy Toyota vehicles under the false belief that they had low emissions.

He argued that correct emissions would be displayed only when the vehicle was driven at higher speeds in a non-test environment.

“Many Toyota owners will be shocked and disappointed. This class action lawsuit is one of the largest in Australian legal history. As a result, each participant will receive tens of thousands of dollars in compensation. It’s possible,” Pendergast said.

The Maddens Lawyers class action lawsuit is being funded by a UK law firm.

Toyota Australia strongly denies the allegations made in the lawsuit.

“Toyota Australia supports emissions reporting, monitoring and evaluation standards for all vehicles,” the company said in a statement.

“We vigorously defend the class action lawsuit announced today.”

Toyota is Australia’s largest automaker and the Toyota Hi-Lux is Australia’s best-selling car in a month.

Toyota emissions: company faces biggest claim in Australian history

Source link Toyota emissions: company faces biggest claim in Australian history

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