AUTO INDUSTRY: Sticky accelerator pedals land Toyota in court for first time

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Troubled Japanese auto giant Toyota said Friday it had begun repairing sticky accelerator pedals in the United States behind the recall of millions of vehicles worldwide.The carmaker's US branch, Toyota Motor Sales USA, said repairs were underway after dealers across the country had received the necessary parts, information and training to repair the accelerator pedals.It also announced that it had begun mailing letters to owners of recalled vehicles to inform them of when they can bring their cars to a dealership for repair.

U.S. safety regulators may seek a second penalty against Toyota, after imposing a record 16.4 million dollar fine against the carmaker for knowingly delaying a massive recall over defective accelerator pedals.

Toyota faces a major courtroom challenge Thursday when federal judges will decide whether angry car owners can bring a multi-billion-dollar suit against the Japanese automaker.A group of law firms from 20 US states, dubbed the Toyota Action Consortium, is suing to recoup losses in the resale value of Toyota vehicles due to deaths and injuries blamed on accelerator pedal malfunctions.Tim Howard, a Northeastern University law professor who is leading the charge against the world's biggest automaker said the case could cost Toyota 40 billion dollars or more.

Toyota raced Friday to finalise a fix for sticky accelerator pedals at the centre of a massive safety recall as rival manufacturers sought to cash in on the Japanese giant's woes.Toyota said its parts supplier CTS had begun making pedals based on a new design that resolved the problem and the two firms are testing a remedy that will be rolled out "as quickly as possible" for cars already on the road.

Toyota Motor on Thursday recalled 2.3 million cars in the United States after reports that worn out accelerator pedals can become lodged in a partially depressed position even after the driver's foot has been removed.