Toyota has agreed to pay the maximum fine of $32.4m related to two US probes into its handling of a spate of vehicle recalls which hurt sales and tarnished its once impeccable reputation for quality.
The settlements conclude a tumultuous year for the world's largest car maker over the recalls of 11 million vehicles in the US and disclosure of problems blamed by safety advocates for hundreds of crashes and the deaths of dozens of people.
The crisis prompted unprecedented government scrutiny over unintended acceleration complaints, a total of three heavy fines, and a loss of prestige and consumer confidence in Toyota's best-selling cars.
'I am pleased that Toyota agreed to pay the maximum possible penalty and I expect Toyota to work co-operatively in the future to ensure consumer safety,' US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement.
Toyota said it agreed to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) fines without admitting any violation of law.
Toyota said separately today that it planned to boost its world vehicle sales by 3% to 8.61 million units in 2011, led by 9% growth in the US.
Toyota was the worst performer among big car makers in the US this year, with a rise of just 0.2% in its single biggest market.
