Toyota has been sued in a class action lawsuit in the United States for violating emissions regulations, major foreign media reported on the 23rd (local time).
Toyota forklift buyers filed a lawsuit on the 22nd at the U.S. District Court in San Francisco against Toyota and its affiliate Toyota Industries, the world's largest forklift manufacturer.
In January, an internal investigation by Toyota revealed that software was altered during emissions testing or different engines were used, causing forklifts to perform better than they actually did.
Earlier, in March last year, Toyota had suspended sales of some forklifts in Japan due to emissions issues.
However, the plaintiffs pointed out that Toyota's illegal activities were first exposed after an investigation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
In the complaint, the plaintiffs stated, "Toyota tried to limit the damage in Japan, but due to a toxic culture of fraud, negligence, and regulatory non-compliance, forklift engine certifications were compromised in all markets, including the United States."
They also said they would not have purchased Toyota forklifts had they known that the forklifts did not meet emissions standards and performed worse than advertised.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensation, punitive damages, and full refunds through the lawsuit.
According to Toyota's internal investigation, the Toyota Industries engine division had developed a "subcontractor mindset" and an atmosphere that undervalued industrial vehicles. This led management to have a low risk sensitivity regarding emissions regulations, foreign media reported.
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