By – Aditi Gupta
A variety of Japanese automakers, such as Toyota and Honda, became involved in a significant scandal involving the abuse of safety and performance statistics by the OEMs.
The previous few years have seen a number of scandals in the car sector, beginning with Dieselgate and continued with the most recent one that has rocked Japan’s auto industry. Reports claim that Toyota, Mazda, and Honda were part of a fraud in which these carmakers believed faked certification exams for different car models. After learning of the swindle, Japanese officials raided Toyota’s assumptions and began an investigation.
Major automakers Suzuki, Honda, Mazda, Hino, and Daihatsu were also embroiled in the most recent scandal, in addition to Toyota. These Japanese automakers have been involved in a safety test scam, according to media reports. As a result, some car deliveries were also stopped, when requests to certify specific models have anomalies discovered by Japan’s Transport Ministry. When filing requests for vehicle certification, these automakers have been accused of providing false or altered test results.
The matter developed to such an extent that Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda issued a public statement for spreading falsifying information in certification exams for seven different car models, and the company ceased producing three models: the Fielder, Axio, and Yaris Cross.
According to reports, during accident testing, multiple major Japanese automakers—including Toyota—may have used inadequate or out-of-date data. Among the many bogus tests that were conducted were incorrect evaluations of airbag inflation and back seat damage in collisions. It was discovered that not only were the safety tests of these cars incorrect but so were the engine power output tests of different models. Actually, based on the study, the phony tests were found even on car models that had been discontinued.
While the scandal affected a number of Toyota vehicles, rival Mazda also reported unusual certification testing and discontinued manufacturing the Mazda 2 and Roadster, two of its vehicle models. The carmaker said that the wrong engine control software was used in the tests. In addition, Mazda admitted failing three of its discontinued car models’ crash testing.
Honda, a significant player in the global auto industry, also issued an apology for carrying out incorrect testing on the torque output and noise levels of a number of car models. Honda revealed that the scandal had an impact on their older models, including the Accord, Odyssey, and Fit. These cars are no longer produced, still.