Toyota, Honda, Mazda and Suzuki fall foul of officials over falsifying data

The world’s largest carmaker has apologised after it was found to have submitted false testing data to regulators. And other makers have been dragged into the scandal.

Deliveries of the Yaris Cross have been suspended in Japan after Toyota was found to have breached testing procedures. Picture: Supplied.

Toyota has suspended domestic shipments of three car models after admitting to falsifying testing data.

The carmaker has apologised after falling foul of government certification rules.

Japanese rivals Honda, Mazda, Suzuki and Yamaha have also been drawn into the scandal.

Mazda has admitted to “irregular processing of test vehicles in crash tests” and rewriting of engine control software”.

The brand said there was “no safety issue” with the cars involved, but it has suspended sales of the Mazda2 and MX-5 Roadster in Japan. Mazda Australia said: “The type designation irregularities do not relate to Australian Mazda vehicles”.

Mazda Motor President and CEO Masahiro Moro (right) bows during a press conference in Tokyo. Toyota said on June 3 it had suspended domestic shipments of three car models after falling foul of government certification rules along with its Japanese rivals Honda, Mazda, Suzuki and Yamaha. (Photo by JIJI Press/AFP).

In a statement Toyota said that some models in its range “were tested using methods that differed from the government standards”.

It admitted that it had provided inadequate data and errors in crash tests, but said “there are no performance issues that contravene laws and regulations”.

“We sincerely apologise for any concern or inconvenience this may cause to our customers and stakeholders who have placed their trust in Toyota,” the statement said.

Toyota Australia put out a statement saying it was seeking detailed information on the issue and would provide updates as soon as possible.

“We are advised that none of the vehicles currently for sale or operating on Australian roads has any safety or performance issues. At this stage, customers can continue to drive their Toyota vehicle,” the statement said.

Toyota Motor Corporation Board Chairman Akio Toyoda speaks during a press conference in Tokyo. Toyota said on June 3 it had suspended domestic shipments of three car models after falling foul of government certification rules along with its Japanese rivals Honda, Mazda, Suzuki and Yamaha. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI/AFP).

The transport ministry told Toyota and other brands to stop delivering certain models within Japan after they reported failures to follow standardised steps to certify vehicles for shipment.

On-site inspections would also be carried out, it said.

Mazda also apologised after an investigation confirmed irregularities in five tests involving more than 150,000 cars.

“We would like to express our sincere apologies for the inconvenience and concern this may cause to our customers, business partners, dealers, and all other stakeholders related to Mazda,” the statement said.

Both Mazda and Toyota have suspended sales of models affected by the irregularities.

AFP reports that the latest issues came to light after the ministry told 85 automakers and parts suppliers to report wrongdoing related to certification applications – an edict prompted by a safety test scandal at Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu.

Toyota has suspended shipments of Yaris Cross SUVs in the wake of the scandal. Picture: Supplied.

Daihatsu in December admitted manipulating tests since at least 1989 and halted all factory operations, dealing a blow to the Japanese economy. Its shipments resumed in April after the government lifted a sweeping ban.

“It is extremely regrettable that additional wrongful acts have been revealed,” which “undermine the trust of users and shake the very foundation of the vehicle certification system”, a ministry statement said.

At a press conference in Tokyo reported by the Japan Times, Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda apologised for the company’s conduct, which he said rocked “the foundation of the certification system itself”.

Toyota said it would suspend shipping of the Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio and Yaris Cross after reporting inadequate data in pedestrian and occupant protection tests.

Mazda has stopped shipments of the Mazda2. Picture: Supplied.

The world’s top-selling automaker said ongoing internal reviews had also found four other models no longer in production were “tested using methods that differed from the government standards”.

Toyota apologised to its customers but assured them that the vehicles were safe to drive.

Honda said it had found wrongdoing in tests related to noise and engine power, but also stressed that its vehicles were safe and had passed corporate standards.

In recent months, Toyota’s truck and bus brand Hino has been hit by a scandal over rigged tests of its engines in Japan.

Meanwhile, its affiliate Toyota Industries did not conduct proper output testing for the certification of three diesel engine models.

Toyoda said in January it would “take time to recover the trust back from our customers” and promised to lead a “transformation”.

With AFP