Toyota's Daihatsu stops production after cheating customers over vehicle safety issues for over 30 years
Daihatsu forged the results of safety tests of not only its own vehicles but also models supplied as OEM models to Toyota, Mazda and Subaru.
Global auto giant Toyota's subsidiary, Daihatsu, has temporarily suspended production of all its vehicles, both in Japan and overseas markets, after an investigation found that the company falsified safety test results of its vehicles for more than 30 years.
"We deeply apologise to our customers and other stakeholders for causing great inconvenience and concern and betraying their trust," Daihatsu said in an official statement.
The investigation, regarding procedural irregularities, was commissioned by Daihatsu and done by an Independent Third-Party Committee. The probe revealed that Daihatsu forged the results of safety tests of not only its vehicles but also models supplied as OEM models to Toyota, Mazda and Subaru.
As per the investigation, there were 174 new cases of Daihatsu manipulating safety test data. There were irregularities found in 64 models and three engines, including those in production or development and discontinued.
The oldest model in the Daihatsu scandal was the Daihatsu Applause, which was launched in July 1989 and was in production till April 2000. Among the models that are still in production are the Toyota Raize, Toyota Pixis Van, Toyota Copen, Toyota Yaris Cross, Toyota Yaris (sedan) Mazda Bongo, Mazda Familia Van, Subaru Rex, Subaru Sambar Truck, Subaru Chiffon, Daihatsu Move Canbus, Daihatsu Rocky, Daihatsu Taft, Daihatsu Mira e:S and Daihatsu Tanto.
During the probe's final stage, tests on the airbags of Daihatsu Move/Subaru Stella, Daihatsu Cast/Toyota Pixis Joy, Daihatsu Gran Max/Toyota Town Ace/Mazda Bongo revealed the irregularity that the airbag deployment computer (ECU) was not the same as that of mass-produced products.
Daihatsu said that the technical verification revealed that there were no problems with the airbag's occupant protection performance, but during the verification, it was determined that there is a possibility that the safety performance related to occupant safety (door unlocking) of the Cast/Pixis Joy in side collision tests does not satisfy the regulations.
"In response to these findings, we decided today to temporarily suspend shipment of all Daihatsu-developed models currently in production, both in Japan and overseas," Daihatsu said.
The Daihatsu scandal is also expected to impact sales of Toyota cars in countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Mexico, Ecuador, Chile and Uruguay.
"We will report to and consult with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as well as the relevant authorities in each country, and proceed with the necessary actions," Daihatsu noted.
In April, Daihatsu was found to have committed wrongdoings with regard to door trim safety of vehicles. Then in May, additional irregularities by the company came to light pertaining to the pole-side collision test of vehicles.
Akio Toyoda, Toyota Chairman of the Board, had apologised to its customers and related parties in April, observing that the problem was not limited to Daihatsu since it occurred with a Toyota brand passenger car.
He had announced to conduct a detailed investigation to understand the situation and determine the true cause of the matter.