2007-2009 Benz W211 E-320/350/500/63 Amg Smoke Bumper Lamps Side Marker Lights on 2040-parts.com

U.S. is seeking a record $16.4 million fine against Toyota

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is seeking a historic $16.4 million civil penalty against Toyota for failing to notify the agency in a timely fashion of a throttle problem that could cause unintended acceleration, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said on Monday. The amount is the maximum penalty and would be the most NHTSA has levied against an automaker. The agency said Toyota waited at least four months to alert it of the potential pedal problem.

Poll: Would you buy a Subaru Liberty Exiga station wagon?

Last week, we asked you if you'd be interested in buying a Hyundai i20, a hatch even smaller than the Accent hatchback currently sold in the U.S. market. An overwhelming 84 percent of our readers said that they would be interested in the i20 if it were available here, perhaps attracted by the 73-mpg combined rating of its fuel-sipping 1.1-liter three-cylinder diesel and its $10,755 base price.

Last summer of speed?

If you want to enjoy driving on the unlimited-speed German autobahn, you might want to get in gear. If the opposition Social Democratic Party wins in this September's elections, party leader Sigmar Gabriel promises to form a coalition with the Green Party -- and both say they'll limit autobahn speeds to 120 kmh (about 75 mph), the German publication Bild is reporting. Not so fast, says the SDP's actual candidate for German chancellor, Peer Steinbrueck, who said he saw “no reason” to reignite the long-running debate over autobahn speeds, Bild reported.