Toyota to Enhance Vehicle Testing Standards

TOKYO (AP) — In response to a recent scandal involving improper vehicle testing, Toyota has committed to strengthening its oversight of vehicle certification processes. The automaker outlined a series of measures aimed at preventing future occurrences, including increased managerial involvement, the assignment of additional staff to certification tasks, and clearer delineation of responsibilities for key positions, such as the chief engineer. This report was submitted to the Japanese government, which had reprimanded Toyota for its actions last month. The scandal, which surfaced two months ago, revealed extensive fraudulent testing practices at Toyota, including the use of outdated data in crash tests and incorrect evaluations of airbag inflation and engine power. Akio Toyoda, the company's chairman, publicly apologized for the misconduct. While the company assures that the safety of vehicles currently on the road, including popular models like the Corolla and Lexus, remains uncompromised, the incident has tarnished Toyota's reputation for quality control. As a consequence of the scandal, Toyota has temporarily suspended production of certain models, with reports suggesting that the controversy could reduce the company's annual global output by approximately 500,000 vehicles. Following the initial findings, further instances of cheating were uncovered, affecting certifications related to pedestrian protection and collision tests. The Japanese government initiated an investigation into Toyota in January, and similar fraudulent practices have also been identified at other Japanese automakers, including Mazda, Honda, and Toyota's subsidiaries, Hino Motors and Daihatsu.