Judge Approves Coupons to Settle Toyota Suit

About 3 million Toyota customers will be mailed coupons good for $150 off another Toyota under a settlement of an overcharging suit approved by a federal judge. The suit, filed on behalf of people who bought Toyotas in the United States between April 20, 1990, and Sept. 30, 1994, accused the company of inflating the price of vehicles by including an advertising cost in its dealer invoices. U.S. District Judge Marilyn Hall Patel found the settlement “fair, reasonable and adequate” in an order made public Friday. The settlement provides $150 coupons that can be used for the purchase or lease of any new or used Toyota from a participating dealer for five years. Up to $50 of the coupon could be used for repairs at a Toyota dealer within a year, with the remainder available for the purchase or lease discount. The settlement also includes $4.25 million in legal fees for the plaintiffs. Toyota denied wrongdoing in the case.