The presence of retail customers, the thinking goes, would slow the bidding and probably result in more disputes over vehicle defects.

NHTSA also stated it could only verify one Toyota unintended acceleration accident caused by a vehicle defect.

The police in Japan said three Toyota officials were under criminal investigation on suspicion that they concealed vehicle defects over eight years.

The law simply defines a vehicle defect as a condition that poses an unreasonable safety hazard.

Ford officials welcomed the consumer advisory as an indication that the tire-related deaths were the result of tire problems and not a vehicle defect.

The Ford Motor Company cited the advisory as evidence that scores of fatal crashes involving Explorers were a result of tire problems, not vehicle defects.

He said that the company had admitted liability for the car but pointed out that all their drivers have immediate access to facilities to correct any vehicle defects.

The suit would come as Mitsubishi Motors tries to piece back together a brand image shattered by revelations that it hid vehicle defects from safety authorities for years.

Mr. Kawasoe resigned after the company disclosed that it had hidden evidence of vehicle defects from regulators for more than two decades.

Inspections done at request of Police if vehicle defects are suspected.