Toyota Chairman Deeply Apologizes for Consecutive Quality Certification Issues

by Choi Taewon

Published 30 Jan.2024 19:48(KST)

Updated 30 Jan.2024 19:52(KST)

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Cheating in Diesel Engine Output Tests and Others
Shipment Halted for 10 Models Including Land Cruiser

Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, apologized for the series of quality certification fraud issues within the group companies.

Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, apologized on the 30th at a press conference held in Nagoya City regarding the series of quality certification fraud issues within the group companies.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to reports from Nihon Keizai Shimbun and NHK on the 30th, Chairman Toyoda held a press conference in Nagoya City and said, "I deeply apologize for causing concern and inconvenience to our customers and stakeholders," adding, "We consider this a serious matter that betrays customer trust and shakes the foundation of the certification system."

The apology came after it was revealed that group companies Hino Motors, Daihatsu, and Toyota Industries committed fraudulent acts during the process of obtaining quality certifications.

Toyota Motor Corporation discovered fraudulent acts during output tests and other procedures for quality certification of diesel engines produced by its group company Toyota Industries, and decided the previous day to halt shipments of 10 vehicle models, including the Land Cruiser Prado, equipped with the problematic engines.

Earlier, Daihatsu, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, faced a fraudulent quality certification issue in April last year. After additional investigations, it was found that from 1989, 174 cases of fraud occurred in tests such as collision, emissions, and fuel efficiency for 64 vehicle models. Daihatsu is currently undergoing a large-scale investigation by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Due to this issue, four Daihatsu factories in Japan have been suspended since December last year. Another Toyota subsidiary, Hino Motors, had its type approval canceled in 2022 after emissions and fuel efficiency manipulation was revealed.