Mazda Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. also apologized Monday for improper testing.
TOKYO — Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda apologized Monday for massive cheating on certification tests for seven vehicle models as the automaker suspended production of three of them. The wide-ranging faulty testing at Japan ’s top automaker involved the use of inadequate or outdated data in collision tests and incorrect testing of airbag inflation and rear-seat damage in crashes.
Engine power tests also were found to have been falsified. Toyota Motor Corp., based in Toyota city in central Japan, suspended production in Japan of the Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio and Yaris Cross. The faulty tests were also found on discontinued models. IN JANUARY: Toyota chief apologizes for cheating on testing at a group company — again The company said the wrongdoing does not affect the safety of the vehicles already on roads, which include the Corolla subcompact and Lexus luxury vehicles. “We sincerely apologize,” Toyoda said, bowing deeply at a news conference in Tokyo. A Japanese government investigation into Toyota began in January. The latest problems don’t pertain to Toyota’s overseas production. Also Monday, Japanese rival Mazda Motor Corp. reported similar irregular certification testing, and halted production of two models, the Roadster and Mazda 2. It said incorrect engine control software was used in the tests. Mazda, based in the southwestern city of Hiroshima, also acknowledged violations on crash tests on three discontinued models. The violations don’t affect the vehicles’ safety. Tokyo-based Honda Motor Co. also apologized late Monday for improper tests, such as those on noise levels and torque, on a range of models whose affected older versions are no longer in production, such as the Accord, Odyssey and Fit. The safety of the vehicles is not affected, it said. About two years ago, certification problems surfaced at Toyota group companies, truck maker Hino Motors and Daihatsu Motor Co., specializing in small models, and Toyota Industries Corp., which makes machinery and auto parts. RELATED: Toyota suspends sales of Raize hybrids after improper crash tests at Daihatsu subsidiary Shinji Miyamoto, a Toyota executive overseeing customer satisfaction, said Toyota began looking into its own tests following the problems at the group companies. The apparent unraveling of the testing systems at Toyota and its group companies is an embarrassment for an automaker that’s prided itself for decades on production finesse and a corporate culture based on empowering workers to make “ever-better cars.” Toyoda said the company may have been too eager to get the tests done and abbreviated them at a time when model varieties were burgeoning. Toyota sells more than 10 million vehicles around the world. Toyoda, the grandson of the company’s founder, suggested some certification rules might be overly stringent, noting such tests differed around the world. But he repeatedly said he wasn't condoning the violations. “We are not a perfect company. But if we see anything wrong, we will take a step back and keep trying to correct it,” said Toyoda.
Honda Motor Co. Mazda Motor Corp. Hino Motors Toyota Industries Corp. Lexus Daihatsu Motor Co. Akio Toyoda Corolla Fielder Shinji Miyamoto Japan TOKYO Hiroshima Yaris Cross Raize Corolla Axio Mazda 2 Roadster Odyssey Fit
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rumor: Toyota's Would-Be Mazda Miata–Rivaling Convertible Sports Car Reborn?Rumblings out of Japan suggest that Toyota's adorable compact sporty convertible got the green light. But we've been disappointed before.
Read more »
Toyota, Subaru and Mazda commit to new engines geared towards electrificationToyota, Subaru and Mazda commit to new engines geared towards electrification
Read more »
Toyota, Subaru and Mazda commit to developing new electrified enginesThe collaboration aims to support decarbonisation by making internal combustion engines compatible with alternative fuels such as e-fuels and biofuels.
Read more »
Toyota, Mazda, Subaru Develop New High-Tech Engines For Diverse FuelsEach company will concentrate on its respective engine type, with Toyota focusing on inline-fours, Subaru on boxers, and Mazda on rotary engines
Read more »
Toyota, Mazda and Subaru commit to carbon neutral engine developmentThe three brands confirmed they would “aim to optimise” engines with electric motors, electric drive units and batteries
Read more »
Toyota, Subaru and Mazda announce new biofuel engines despite global push for EVsToyota will offer lean compact engines that also run on so-called green fuels like hydrogen and bioethanol, or get paired with zero-emissions electric motors in hybrids.
Read more »