Toyota faces $1 billion lawsuit over diesel emissions

Toyota Australia is facing a class-action lawsuit after allegedly fitting approximately half a million diesel vehicles with emissions defeat devices to pass local standards.

Maddens Lawyers will represent owners of the affected vehicles in Victoria’s Supreme Court and if successful, Toyota could be forced to pay out up to $1AU billion ($1.1NZ billion).

Vehicles included in the case include new or second-hand Hilux, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Prado, Granvia, Hiace and Fortuner models purchased since February 2016.

Toyota defended the reporting of its emissions standards saying it would fully back itself.

Maddens Lawyers will argue that the affected vehicles used “sophisticated engineering” and “multiple sensors” to comply with emissions standards in tests but not when used in the real-world.

“We allege that not through accident but through deliberate engineering intervention, these vehicles are fitted with what are generically called defeat devices,” said Brendan Pendergast from Maddens Lawyers.

“When the vehicle comes under load or achieves speeds commonly required in the usual purchaser of a vehicle, the vehicle no longer complies with the emission standards.”

“Many Toyota owners would be shocked, disappointed,” Mr Pendergast said.

“‘This class action is one of the biggest claims in Australia’s legal history. It could result in each participant receiving tens of thousands of dollars of compensation.”

However, Toyota Australia rejects these claims saying it “stands by its reporting, monitoring and evaluation standards in relation to the emissions for all its vehicles,”

“We will defend the class action announced today rigorously.”