PLANO, TX – Following a Japanese government investigation that began in January, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda issued an apology on Monday after it was revealed his company had engaged in widespread cheating on safety certification tests on seven of their vehicle models, and that production on three of them would be suspended going forward as a result.
Among the shortcuts and subterfuge utilized by the Japanese automaker included collision tests that made use of outdated or inadequate data; erroneous airbag inflation and rear-seat crash damage testing; and blatant falsification of engine power tests.
In response to the scandal Toyota Motor Corporation has suspended production of the three active models that had been found to have used the fraudulent testing – the Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio and Yaris Cross. The other four models in question had previously been discontinued.
While speaking to reporters, Toyoda bowed deeply in remorse, asked for forgiveness, and assured the public that the safety of the vehicles they already have on the road has not been compromised despite the underhanded testing procedures.
We sincerely apologize,” Toyoda said. “We are not a perfect company. But if we see anything wrong, we will take a step back and keep trying to correct it.”
The company’s Chairman explained that corners may have been cut in testing in a misguided attempt to get them done as quickly as possible amid an expansion in production of new models.
The problem affects Toyoda vehicles manufactured in Japan only; the company was quick to confirm that the safety violations do not pertain to vehicles that are built overseas, including those made in the United States.
In addition, Mazda Motor Corp. – Toyota’s Japanese rival – ironically on Monday also admitted several issues with their safety certification testing and similarly paused production on two models, the Roadster and Mazda 2. The reason given was that incorrect engine control software used in testing.
Christopher Boyle is an investigative journalist, videographer, reporter and writer for SEARCHEN NETWORKS® as well as other independent news and media organizations in the United States. Christopher works on a wide variety of topics and fields, has been featured in print and online in a variety of publications, from local to national, and helps keep a keen-eye on what’s happening in the automotive world for Auto Buyers Market.