April 23, 2012

Reuters (4/20, Zeidler) reported that Toyota Motor Corp. won tentative dismissal of some claims in a class-action lawsuit brought by owners claiming sudden acceleration by their vehicles. Federal district judge James Selna in Santa Ana, California tentatively ruled that New York and Florida class representatives cannot bring claims under their states’ laws for lost value in their vehicles due to an acceleration problem. He is expected to issue a definite ruling as early as today, which if it does not change, would be a victory for the automaker.