Daihatsu suspends deliveries of all vehicles due to safety concerns

The largest Japanese car manufacturer Toyota Motor reportedthat its small car division Daihatsu is suspending deliveries of all its models produced both in and outside of Japan. The decision was made following an investigation by an independent commission into serious violations during vehicle crash tests. The violations were committed against all 64 models and 3 engines produced by Daihatsu, including 22 models and one engine produced under the Toyota brand.

The investigation into Daihatsu was launched in April, when it became known that the manufacturer admitted falsifying the results of side impact crash tests for 88 thousand cars, most of which were produced under the Toyota brand. In May, sales of the Daihatsu Rocky and the hybrid Toyota Raize were also stopped after crash test problems were identified with these models as well. The audit showed that falsification of crash test results was allowed at Daihatsu in previous years. In the first ten months of this year, Daihatsu produced 1.1 million vehicles. Of these, almost 40% were assembled at the company’s factories outside Japan. During the same period, about 660 thousand cars produced by Daihatsu were sold worldwide, which represents 7% of sales of all Toyota Motor cars.

Toyota Motor management offered its “sincere apologies for the inconvenience and concern for all concerned, including consumers.” The company noted that Daihatsu needs “fundamental reforms” and a thorough review of the certification procedure. “This is a critical task that cannot be accomplished in one day,” Toyota Motor said in a statement. “It will require a review of not only all management and operational processes, but also the entire structure and organization of the business.”

Alena Miklashevskaya