• Japan’s transport ministry raided Toyota’s headquarters following a scandal over faulty safety data.
• Toyota has apologized for providing incorrect or manipulated data for safety certification tests.
• Toyota chairman, Akio Toyoda, apologized to customers and car enthusiasts.

Japan’s transport ministry raided the headquarters of motor giant Toyota on Tuesday as a scandal over faulty safety data escalated. The world’s largest carmaker has apologized for providing incorrect or manipulated data for safety certification tests.

The scandal has shaken the Japanese car industry, with rivals Honda, Mazda, and Suzuki also admitting to submitting faulty data. Toyota sold more than 11 million passenger vehicles in 2023. The company has stated that the findings do not affect the safety of vehicles already on the road.

The company suspended the production of three car models – the Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio, and Yaris Cross. It has also faced accusations of using modified vehicles during safety collision tests for vehicles that are no longer in production.

The raids occurred a day after Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda apologized to customers and car enthusiasts. He bowed deeply and held the position for a few seconds, which is customary in Japan when companies apologize for wrongdoing.

“We neglected the certification process and mass-produced our cars without first taking the proper precautionary steps,” Mr Toyoda said.

Japanese carmakers Honda, Mazda, and Suzuki are also scheduled for inspection by the authorities over the same issue. Honda acknowledged finding wrongdoing in tests related to noise and engine power but emphasized that its vehicles are safe to drive. Mazda has suspended the shipments of some cars and announced it will bear the cost to its suppliers.

However, the company stated that it does not plan on issuing recalls. The findings also pertain to one Suzuki car model that is no longer in production. Last December, Toyota-owned carmaker Daihatsu closed all of its factories for more than a month after admitting that it had falsified safety tests.

During the period when its plants were idle, Daihatsu compensated more than 400 domestic suppliers. Some of the cars were sold with Toyota branding.

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