Daihatsu's Safety Test Scandal: Toyota Subsidiary Halts Shipments After Widespread Irregularities

Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp‘s TM subsidiary Daihatsu announced on Wednesday the temporary suspension of shipments for all its developed models. This decision follows a recent investigative report exposing safety test manipulations involving approximately 64 models and 3 engines.

In response to the findings, Daihatsu has identified malpractice in safety tests for 64 models, including Daihatsu brand vehicles and those supplied to Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru. The affected models include 28 domestic ones like the Pixis Epoch and Raize, and 16 overseas models currently in production or development, such as the Yaris and Avanza. Notably, 20 of these models have already been discontinued.

"We deeply apologize to our customers and other stakeholders for causing great inconvenience and concern and betraying their trust," the mini car maker said in a statement. As a response, the unit will pause shipment both in Japan as well as overseas, it said. 

Regarding future remedies, Daihatsu reported the investigation results to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. 

With the investigation revealing larger-scale manipulation, Japan's transport ministry said that it will undertake an on-site inspection at the company's headquarters on Thursday. Daihatsu President Soichiro Okudaira also warned that certain regulatory clearances issued to the company may be revoked.

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