Five Automakers Including Toyota Japan Also Involved in Misconduct

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Fraudulent activities aimed at obtaining quality certifications have been uncovered among Japanese automakers, including Toyota Motor Corporation.

According to reports from Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) and others on the 3rd, Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced that it received reports from five companies?Toyota, Mazda, Yamaha Motor, Honda, and Suzuki?regarding fraudulent conduct during automobile performance tests.

The total number of models reported for certification fraud was 38. Among these, six models are currently in production, prompting the Ministry to order a suspension of shipments for these models.

Previously, after it was revealed that Daihatsu committed large-scale fraud during the acquisition process of the 'type designation' certification necessary for mass production of automobiles and engines, the Ministry instructed investigations into whether similar cases existed among other manufacturers.

Toyota was found to have committed fraud in seven models: three currently produced vehicles?Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio, and Yaris Cross?and four previously manufactured models?Crown, Isis, Sienta, and Lexus RX. Toyota reportedly submitted false data in pedestrian protection tests and committed fraud in collision tests.

Earlier, Toyota had already faced a scandal involving fraudulent activities detected since 2022 within its subsidiaries and affiliates, including Hino Motors, Daihatsu, and Toyota Auto Body, which is expected to deal a significant blow to its image.

The Ministry plans to conduct an on-site inspection as early as the 4th at Toyota’s headquarters located in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, in central Honshu, based on relevant laws.

Mazda was found to have committed fraud in five models?two currently produced and three previously manufactured?while Yamaha Motor had fraud in three models?one currently sold and two no longer in production. Honda had fraudulent activities in 22 past models, and Suzuki in one old model.

As it has been revealed that major Japanese automakers have been secretly engaging in fraudulent activities, there is growing concern that trust in Japanese manufacturers, traditionally based on 'craftsmanship spirit,' has been shaken.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.