Toyota apologizes for falsified vehicle testing

Toyota facing issues with safety certification

It didn’t seem so long ago when Toyota was embroiled in a safety scandal through its Daihatsu subsidiary, but now the Japanese auto giant finds itself in hot water once again.

After the Japanese transportation ministry found Toyota and Mazda with procedural irregularities regarding safety testing and vehicle certification, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda gave an apologetic press conference in Tokyo.

The grandson of the company’s founder offered a customary low bow after incorrect testing of airbag inflation and outdated collision test data were found, along with irregularities in engine power tests.

Toyoda said that seven models, including those that have already ended production since 2014, have been tested using methods that are different from the standards defined by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

TNGA Yaris Cross

Currently, shipment and sales of the Corolla Fielder, the Corolla Axio, and the TNGA-based Yaris Cross have been suspended for the Japanese market. While the cars did not undergo the proper certification and testing procedures, Toyota says the affected vehicles that have been sold can still be used safely as no performance issues were found.

Hopefully, they get to iron out the irregularities as the recent safety scandals are putting a strain to the brand that prides itself for making “ever-better” cars.