Toyota execs to dodge jail?

WASHINGTON, USA — Earlier in March 2014, Wheels24 reported that Toyota will pay the equivalent of R13-billion to settle US accusations that it sought to cover up an accelerator problem  in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

The fault was connected to a number of crashes and deaths.

The US Justice Department said the Japanese automaker admitted misleading regulators and the public about the safety problems in its cars  in 2009 and 2010.

TAKING ON EXECS

Prosecutors believe that it's unlikely anyone will go to jail and reported that they had little choice but to accept that outcome due to constraints with evidence and the challenge of gathering testimony and information from witnesses abroad.

The same internal memos and public statements that buttressed the case against Toyota might well have been inadmissible as evidence against individuals.

It can be difficult to prove that the person whose name is on a damning document was directly responsible for it, reports prosecutors.

The US government says the penalty is the largest yet against an automaker. Consumer advocates fear a monetary penalty will not dissuade executives at rival automotive companies from law-breaking.