The Japanese Ministry of Transport found safety test irregularities in automakers like Toyota, Mazda, and Yamaha, leading to suspended shipments.
Companies are taking actions, including inspections and safety test improvements, to address the issues and restore trust.
By Falito Villienuve Tandra, Salma Farah Faiza, and Iman Satyo Adi
June 7, 2024 at 16:30 GMT+7
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism recently uncovered significant irregularities in the safety tests conducted by several major Japanese automakers. This revelation has sent shockwaves through the industry, affecting prominent companies such as Toyota Motor, Mazda Motor, Yamaha, Honda, and Suzuki.
In response to these alarming findings, Toyota, Mazda, and Yamaha have promptly suspended shipments for six of their vehicle models. This decisive action highlights the gravity of the certification flaws and the automakers' dedication to swiftly addressing these issues.
The ministry's announcement has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the safety certification processes, prompting an immediate and robust response from the affected companies. The suspension of shipments underscores the industry's commitment to ensuring compliance with safety standards and maintaining public trust. As the situation unfolds, these automakers are working diligently to rectify the irregularities and restore confidence in their vehicle safety certifications.
Mazda Motor Co. President, Masahiro Moro | Source: The Japan News
Following the ministry's rigorous investigation, it was revealed that Toyota, Mazda, and Yamaha had significant irregularities in their certification applications, leading to the suspension of several models.
Toyota identified inadequate data in pedestrian and occupant protection tests for the Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio, and Yaris Cross, as well as errors in crash tests for the Crown, Isis, Sienta, and RX, which are no longer in production.
Despite these findings, Toyota and other affected manufacturers, such as Honda and Suzuki, have assured the public that the performance of the vehicles does not contravene any laws or regulations. Toyota emphasized that its internal verification confirmed no need to stop using the affected vehicles, with Chairman Akio Toyoda extending a public apology to all stakeholders.
Daihatsu Motor's next President (Masahiro Inoue) and Toyota Motor Corp. President (Koji Sato) | Source: Reuters
The Japanese Ministry of Transport has planned on-site inspections for Toyota and other automakers following a widening safety test scandal. These inspections, taking place at Toyota’s headquarters in central Japan, will continue over the next few days.
Toyota’s Chairman, Akio Toyoda, expressed the company’s commitment to improvement, emphasizing ongoing enhancements to their safety testing processes. This situation is part of a broader pattern, with previous issues at Daihatsu, Toyota Industries, and Hino Motors have all faced scrutiny over falsified safety test data.
The Ministry revealed that Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha had all submitted incorrect or manipulated data for vehicle certification, leading to the suspension of certain model shipments. Despite these challenges, the chairman reassured that Toyota would not halt factory operations, but would pause production for the models under investigation. The company's efforts aim to rebuild trust and ensure the highest standards in safety and quality across their vehicles.
Sources:
Nikkei
Reuters
Wall Street Journal
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