Four major Japanese carmakers – Toyota, Honda, Mazda, and Suzuki – have been accused of cheating on safety and emissions tests by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. This came after an investigation was launched following findings that two Toyota subsidiaries, Daihatsu and Hino, had cheated on emissions tests. The ministry claims that these automakers provided manipulated data for safety and emissions testing.
As a result, Mazda and Toyota have been instructed to stop delivering certain vehicles pending an on-site inspection at their headquarters. One of the affected models is the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF.
Toyota, one of the largest automakers globally, admitted to submitting falsified safety data for several models, both currently in production and discontinued. The company acknowledged that it didn’t follow the correct certification process for these cars. Although Toyota stated that there are no safety concerns for customers, they have been ordered to halt sales of affected models in Japan.
Mazda, another Japanese automaker, confessed to irregularities in crash test data and emissions testing. The company admitted to using an external device to trigger airbag activation during crash tests instead of the actual impact. Mazda engineers modified the ignition timing of certain models to pass emissions tests. While Mazda assured customers of the safety of the affected models, it suspended production and export until further investigation.
Honda, known for its reliable vehicles, also faced accusations of falsifying test data. The company identified irregularities in output ratings and noise level testing for several models. However, Honda clarified that American models are not affected by these issues as they are certified under different regulations.
Suzuki, a smaller automaker, was implicated for falsifying stopping distances in testing for the Suzuki Alto LCV model produced from 2014 to 2017. The company adjusted the numbers instead of rerunning the tests.
These revelations highlight a widespread problem in the automotive industry, with major Japanese automakers failing to adhere to regulations. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will conduct further investigations, and fines are expected to be imposed on the implicated companies by the Japanese government.
