(December 1, 2010) Toyota said it has filed a lawsuit against Motors Liquidation Co., the company responsible for the discarded assets of the former General Motors Corp., seeking $73 million in damages related to the closure of their joint factory.

The world's leading automaker is claiming the award to cover research and development costs that it said resulted from a breach of contract by the U.S. company when their plant in California, New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., or Nummi, was shuttered earlier this year.

"It's part of the process of winding down the Nummi venture," Toyota spokesman Keisuke Kirimoto said.

GM, now General Motors Co., pulled out of the venture last year as part of its bankruptcy restructuring, from which it has emerged and followed last month with the world's largest initial public offering at $23.1 billion.

The plant, the last major auto factory on the U.S. west coat, was eventually closed, laying off 4,700 workers in a bid to trim costs as demand for cars slumped amid a global recession.

In May, Toyota sold the facility to electric car partner Tesla Motors Inc. for about $42 million.

Source: Reuters News Service