The Japanese government has ordered Toyota Motor to make “drastic reforms” after discovering new violations in the automaker’s vehicle certification procedures. The Transport Ministry found widespread intentional misconduct and irregularities in seven additional models that had not been previously disclosed. A corrective order has been issued to Toyota to ensure appropriate certification operations and confirm compliance with requirements for the models involved. Customers are assured they do not need to stop using affected vehicles. In July, Toyota had reported cases of wrongdoing in car model certification applications, and in June, Toyota and four other automakers admitted to submitting flawed or manipulated data during the certification process.
Toyota’s wrongdoing involves three production models – the Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio, and Yaris Cross – as well as discontinued versions of four other models, including one sold under the Lexus luxury brand. The automaker plans to resume production of these models in September after confirming compliance requirements with the Transport Ministry. The industry-wide checks on certification practices were prompted by a safety test scandal at Toyota’s Daihatsu compact car unit. The Transport Ministry has notified overseas authorities about the irregularities in six of the additional Toyota models, which were also certified in other countries.
Four of the additional models – the Noah, Voxy, RAV4, Harrier, and Lexus LM – are still in production by Toyota, while three are no longer manufactured. The automaker is working towards addressing the issues in these models to ensure compliance with certification requirements. The corrective order issued by the Japanese government emphasizes the need for Toyota to implement drastic reforms in its certification operations to prevent further violations and irregularities. Toyota has been proactive in addressing past wrongdoing and is committed to rectifying the situation to ensure the safety and compliance of its vehicles.
The violations and irregularities in Toyota’s vehicle certification procedures have raised concerns about the integrity of the automaker’s compliance processes. The involvement of multiple models in the wrongdoing indicates a systemic issue that requires significant reforms in order to prevent future violations. The ministry’s directive for Toyota to implement drastic reforms underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need for immediate action to address the issues. Toyota’s commitment to confirming compliance with requirements for the affected models and resuming production demonstrates its dedication to resolving the situation and restoring trust in its certification processes.
The safety and compliance of Toyota vehicles are paramount, and the automaker’s efforts to address the violations and irregularities in its certification procedures are crucial in ensuring the quality and integrity of its products. The ongoing investigations and corrective measures taken by Toyota following the discovery of new violations highlight the company’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of safety and compliance. By cooperating with the Transport Ministry and other authorities, Toyota is taking proactive steps to address the issues and prevent similar incidents in the future. The swift response to the corrective order and the commitment to reforming certification operations demonstrate Toyota’s dedication to ensuring the quality and safety of its vehicles.
