TOKYO (AP) — Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda apologized Monday for massive cheating in certification tests for seven vehicle models, while the automaker halted production of three of them.
The extensive faulty testing at Japan’s largest automaker involved the use of inadequate or outdated data in crash tests and improper tests of airbag deployment and rear seat damage in crashes. Emissions tests were also found to be falsified.
Toyota Motor Corp., based in Toyota City, central Japan, has halted production in Japan of the Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio and Yaris Cross. The faulty tests were also found on already discontinued models.
The company said the misconduct does not affect the safety of vehicles already on the road, including the Corolla subcompact and Lexus luxury vehicles.
“We sincerely apologize,” Toyoda said, bowing deeply at a news conference in Tokyo.
A Japanese government investigation into Toyota began in January. The latest problems do not affect Toyota’s overseas production.
Also Monday, Japanese rival Mazda Motor Corp. reported similarly irregular certification tests and halted production of two models, the Roadster and the Mazda 2. The tests used incorrect engine control software.
Mazda, based in the southwestern city of Hiroshima, also admitted crash test violations on three discontinued models. The violations do not affect the safety of the vehicles.
About two years ago, certification problems emerged at Toyota group companies, truck maker Hino Motors and Daihatsu Motor Co., which specializes in small models, and Toyota Industries Corp., which makes machinery and auto parts.
Shinji Miyamoto, a Toyota executive who oversees customer satisfaction, said Toyota began investigating its own tests following the problems at the group’s companies.
The apparent unraveling of the testing systems at Toyota and its group companies is an embarrassment for an automaker that has for decades prided itself on manufacturing refinement and a corporate culture based on empowering employees to make “ever better cars.”
Toyoda said the company may have been too eager to conduct the tests and shortened them at a time when model varieties were on the rise.
Toyota sells more than 10 million vehicles worldwide.
Toyoda, the grandson of the company’s founder, suggested that some certification rules may be too strict, noting that such tests varied around the world. But he repeatedly said he did not condone the violations.
“We are not a perfect company. But if we see something wrong, we will take a step back and continue to try to correct it,” Toyoda said.
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