Toyota Motor's Chairman Addresses Vehicle Certification Investigation

Toyota Motor's chairman, Akio Toyoda, is set to discuss the results of an investigation into the company's vehicle certification applications. This action comes in response to a request from Japan's transport ministry, which uncovered irregularities in certification applications from Toyota, Mazda Motor, Yamaha Motor, Honda Motor, and Suzuki Motor.

The ministry's scrutiny has led to directives for Toyota, Mazda, and Yamaha to cease shipments of specific vehicles. Consequently, Toyota has halted shipments and sales of three car models manufactured in Japan, while Yamaha has suspended shipments of a sports motorcycle. Mazda and Honda are preparing to address the situation through press releases and conferences.

Toyota is actively probing issues concerning vehicle fuel efficiency and emissions, with the aim of concluding the investigation by the end of June. The company has acknowledged shortcomings in safety test data for certain production models and errors in crash tests for discontinued models. However, Toyota has assured customers that there are no performance issues breaching regulations, emphasizing the safety of their vehicles.

The investigation was triggered by a safety test scandal at Toyota's subsidiary Daihatsu, where side-collision safety tests were manipulated for a significant number of small cars sold under various brands.

Toyota Motor's response to the vehicle certification investigation highlights the company's commitment to addressing compliance issues and ensuring the safety of its vehicles. By taking proactive measures to investigate and rectify any discrepancies, Toyota aims to uphold its reputation for quality and reliability in the automotive industry.