Dirty Dealings Alleged Against Toyota and GM

A manufacturing plant in California jointly owned by Toyota and GM has been accused of intentionally ignoring defects in the vehicles that rolled off its assembly line. The plant, which produces the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe, along with the Toyota Corolla and Tacoma pickup, may have deep-sixed evidence of defects in crucial safety features including brakes and seatbelts, and then retalliated against the whistleblower, a plant employee and certified auditor. The case may be getting a shot in the arm by a new lawsuit against Toyota, which alleges that a Corolla’s seatbelt failed during a firey wreck, sticking closed and trapping the plaintiff’s elderly father, who subsequently burned to death. See Leftlane News and CNN Money for more.