The Japanese automakers were called to investigate their practices since 2014, and the results are not ideal
- Toyota, Honda, Mazda, and Suzuki admitted of irregularities in the type approval testing of several production models.
- The internal investigations were requested by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, following the Daihatsu scandal.
- Production, shipments, and sales of affected models will be halted until their compliance with regulations is properly confirmed.
Following the recent scandal with irregularities in safety testing of Daihatsu models, the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism requested other local automakers to investigate their own practises since 2014. Toyota, Honda, Mazda, and Suzuki admitted of fraudulent conduct in type approval applications for certain models, halting production, shipments, and sales of the ones currently offered in the market.
Starting with Toyota, the company admitted of subtiting false data in pedestrian and occupant safety tests for the Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio, and Yaris Cross which are currently in production. Toyota’s internal investigations also found out that the discontinued Crown, Isis, Sienta, and (Lexus) RX were tampered with during crash tests. Despite the issues, Toyota suggests that internal verification proved that the affected vehicles comply with all safety regulations, requiring no further action from owners.
More: Toyota Drafting In Trusted Toyota Execs To Rescue Scandal-Rocked Daihatsu
Mazda revealed that the engine control software of the MX-5 RF roadster and the Mazda2 subcompact hatchback were rewritten during official output testing. The company had also applied improper modifications on crash test vehicles of the discontinued Atenza / Mazda6, and Axela, although it confirmed that the production models meet the safety standards.
Honda‘s own investigation proved they conducted false statements in noise tests for 22 discontinued vehicles. Affected nameplates include the Inspire, Fit, Fit Shuttle, Shuttle, CR-Z, Acty, Vamos, Stepwgn, Legend, Accord, Insight, Exclusive, CR-V, Freed, N-Box, N-One, Odyssey, N-Wgn, Vezel, Grace, S660, Jade, and NSX.
Honda NSX
In Suzuki‘s case, the fraudulent conduct was limited to a single model – the LCV version of the previous-generation Alto produced between 2014 and 2017. Suzuki found that the stopping distance listed on the brakes fading test was shorter than the actual measurements. According to the company, the pressure that had been applied on the brake pedal during testing was not as intense as it should in order for the results to be within the legal framework. In order to meet the deadline, they tweaked the numbers assuming that the vehicle would perform better in a proper test.
The authorities will now conduct on-site investigations in the premises of the aforementioned companies, and confirm the compliance of the affected models with the regulations. The automakers were also instructed to provide information and support to the respective owners where needed.
The shake-up will halt the production, shipment, and sales of the aforementioned models which are currently offered in Japan and other markets. It remains to be seen how quickly will the local authorities be able to sort out the compliance issues and decide on the appropriate penalties for the automakers’ fraudulent actions.
H/T to Response
