Toyota Asks For Sudden Deceleration Of Lawsuits

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

Lawyers would have to do pro bono work, or subsist on doing divorces and writing wills, would it not be for Toyota. Toyota’s contribution to the world of jurisprudence is immeasurable. They are in a drawn-out lawsuit against their own (former) lawyer. And they are named in more than 300 federal and state lawsuits including proposed class actions over allegations that the vehicles suddenly accelerated and couldn’t be stopped. Toyota is trying to put the brakes on that.

Toyota asked a judge in Santa Ana, CA, to throw out lawsuits over sudden acceleration claims. According to Toyota, the suits are based on anecdotes and fail to identify any specific defects in the vehicles, says Bloomberg. A hearing on Toyota’s request to dismiss the lawsuits is scheduled for Nov. 19 in Santa Ana.

Lawyers also sue Toyota for losses, because the media circus has “caused defective vehicles’ values to plummet.” Defective vehicle’s values? What are they talking about? Most Toyotas had taken a hit, says the Blue Book. Maybe consumers should sue the lawyers …

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Steven02 Steven02 on Sep 15, 2010

    I do like the title, nice one BS.

  • Mhadi Mhadi on Sep 15, 2010

    Perhaps Toyota should just pull out of the US market. You'd have American politicians and consumers taking the begging stance. Then Americans can stick with their GM and Chrysler cars, which incidentally no one around the world wants because they are so awful in every aspect you could think of. Would I trust your life with a Toyota or a GM car?

    • See 1 previous
    • APaGttH APaGttH on Sep 15, 2010

      No one around the world wants GM products? Funny, GM is likely to take the lead of top automaker in the world this year from Toyota despite the shuttering of three brands and the sell off of a fourth. Who makes those great cars in Australia again?

  • 13withinfinity 13withinfinity on Sep 15, 2010

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apoqeb4Wv3c&feature=related i think that video would have fit much better

  • Daanii2 Daanii2 on Sep 15, 2010

    Toyota is not the only one being sued. The courts are actually very full these days. Litigators are making lots of money. It seems recessions stimulate the legal trade.

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