REUTERS
A U.S. judge granted preliminary approval on Dec. 28 to Toyota Motor Corp's $1.1 billion settlement of a class-action lawsuit. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
SAN FRANCISCO -- A U.S. judge granted preliminary approval on Dec. 28 to Toyota Motor Corp's $1.1 billion settlement of a class-action lawsuit brought by consumers who lost value on their cars due to sudden, unintended acceleration.