Toyota Certification Test Scandal Findings Increase, Delivery Of One Model Suspended

Lexus LM. (Doc. Global Toyota)

JAKARTA - Toyota's certification test scandal has not yet ended. The reason is, there are several additional models found involved in the case involving the largest car manufacturer in the world.

Reporting from the manufacturer's official website, Friday, August 2, a number of models were again affected by the hit certification test scandal consisting of Prius and Mebius (Dahihatsu) and RX (Lexus) 2014-2015 which failed the pedestrian protection test.

In addition, the 2017 production RAV4 SUV was found to have failed in the load transfer prevention test. Then, there is the 2017 Camry and Altis (Dahihatsu) model due to an error in the steering impact test.

Not only that, but Toyota also experienced a failure to test residents' protective equipment in the interior involving the models Noah, Vexy, and Landy (Suzuki) produced in 2021. Then, two other models, namely Harrier's 2022 output and Lexus LM in 2023, stumbled on an error in testing side-braking and testing the pole side collision.

The cases mentioned above have been reported to local authorities, including with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism (MLIT), in order to ensure compliance with standards. Affected vehicle users do not need to stop using their vehicles.

"With great regret we were unable to carry out our certification operations well, and we apologize to stakeholders for any worries or inconvenience that might have caused them," Toyota wrote in a statement.

The Japanese manufacturer and MLIT said that this failure was caused by a number of factors on the spot and management.

The on-site factor is the unclear internal operational rules to prepare documents needed for certification applications, then clarification and resource management needed for inadequate certification processes, and lack of awareness of the importance of certification.

Meanwhile, in terms of managerial, they mentioned that there is a lack of understanding and involvement of executive management in the whole certification process.

"Based on the above understanding, we will review the structure and system to carry out correct certification operations, clarify once again the responsibility and authority of the certification process, and continue to improve our infrastructure, including accurate data management," the manufacturer said.

Earlier on June 3, a similar scandal involved models such as the Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio, and Yaris Cross in Japan and had their production suspended. However, the manufacturer plans to restart production in September.

However, the shipment of models such as Vexy and Noah has been suspended since late July due to this incident.

"Once again, we sincerely apologize to stakeholders for any worries or inconvenience caused," concluded Toyota.