TOKYO (AP) — Toyota promised Friday to strengthen oversight of its vehicle certification so that the scandal that recently emerged over inadequate testing is never repeated.
Japan’s top automaker has outlined in detail the measures it will take, including greater management involvement, assigning more staff to certification tasks and clarifying responsibilities for specific positions such as chief engineer.
The report was presented to the Japanese government, which reprimanded Toyota last month.
Two months ago, Toyota Motor Corp. recognized wide-ranging fraudulent tests, including the use of inadequate or outdated data in crash tests, incorrect airbag inflation tests and engine power checks.
Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota and grandson of the automaker’s founder, apologized.
The irregularity does not affect the safety of vehicles already on the roads, which include the popular Corolla subcompact and Lexus luxury vehicles, so owners do not need to do anything.
But it has been a major embarrassment for a manufacturer that prides itself on training its workers to ensure quality control.
Toyota has suspended production of some models. Japanese media reports have speculated that the scandal will reduce Toyota’s annual global production by about 500,000 vehicles. Toyota sells 11 million vehicles a year around the world.
After initial disclosure, Toyota found more cheating, including certifications for pedestrian protection, side collisions and driving impacts.
“There were many areas for improvement in the certification operation base, such as the data management system and the establishment of regulations and procedures for certification operations,” Toyota said in a statement.
A Japanese government investigation into Toyota began in January. The problem does not affect production abroad.
Similar fraudulent tests were found at Japanese automakers Mazda Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co., and at Toyota group manufacturers Hino Motors and Daihatsu Motor Co.
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