Toyota, Mazda, Honda, and Suzuki under scrutiny over certification scandal

SAUDI ARABIA : Toyota and Mazda have suspended the shipment of specific vehicles after Japan's transport ministry discovered irregularities in their certification applications. This revelation broadens the scope of a safety test scandal that has already implicated Japanese automakers such as Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha.

The Japanese transport ministry revealed that multiple automakers submitted erroneous or manipulated test data for vehicle certification. Consequently, Toyota, Mazda, and Yamaha have been instructed to cease the shipment of certain vehicles. An on-site inspection is scheduled at Toyota's headquarters in Aichi Prefecture to delve deeper into the matter.

The origins of this scandal date back to January when the ministry asked automakers to re-examine their certification applications following similar discrepancies at Toyota's Daihatsu unit. This scrutiny has now unveiled more extensive irregularities across the automotive industry. The ministry's findings have cast a spotlight on the certification practices of these automakers, raising serious concerns about the integrity of their processes.

The timing of these revelations is particularly critical as Toyota is on the verge of its annual general meeting. Influential proxy advisory firms Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass Lewis have advised shareholders to vote against the re-election of Akio Toyoda as chairman. ISS's report specifically highlighted the recurring certification irregularities within the Toyota Group as a major issue.At a press conference, Akio Toyoda, the grandson of Toyota's founder, issued an apology for the misconduct. He admitted that the vehicles did not undergo the proper certification process before being sold. Consequently, Toyota has temporarily halted the shipment and sales of three models produced in Japan: the Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio, and Yaris Cross.

Toyoda stated that being the head of the entire Toyota Group, he owed a sincere apology to the customers. He reassured that there were no performance problems violating laws and regulations, so customers do not need to stop using their vehicles.

Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, expressed regret over the misconduct, noting that it undermines the government's efforts to promote corporate reforms. This scandal has not only damaged the reputations of the automakers but also raised questions about the effectiveness of regulatory oversight.Mazda has been found guilty of tampering with engine control software test results and crash tests for the Roadster RF sports car and Mazda2 hatchback. Additionally, the company discovered that crash tests for the discontinued Atenza and Axela models were manipulated by using a timer to deploy airbags during frontal collision tests, instead of relying on the on-board sensor.

Yamaha has halted the shipment of a sports motorcycle due to similar irregularities. Honda disclosed that it found misconduct in noise and output tests spanning over eight years on more than two dozen models no longer in production. This extended period of non-compliance highlights the urgent need for stricter oversight and greater transparency in the certification process.

Toyota is still investigating issues related to vehicle fuel efficiency and emissions, aiming to complete the inquiry by the end of June. This ongoing investigation suggests that the full extent of the irregularities may not yet be known, and additional repercussions could ensue as more details come to light.