The apology came a day before Chairman
The latest woes at Japan’s top automaker involve testing required for Japanese government approval at
False results were found for certification testing and other sampling inspections for engines which claimed the products met standards when they actually didn’t, according to Toyota.
“We will do our utmost to resume production as soon as possible,” Sato said at a hastily called news conference late Monday at Toyota’s
“Management was not able to fully comprehend and keep track of the details of what was happening on the ground,” he said.
Skirting of required tests surfaced last year at
In 2022,
No major accidents have been reported in connection with any of the cheating, but the news has raised serious questions about oversight at the companies, as well as at Toyota.
Production has stopped for many Toyota group models until proper testing can be carried out, although people who already own the models can continue to drive them safely, according to the companies.
When asked about the root causes of the repeated scandals, Sato said better communication was needed among the companies, as well as a more thorough education about the importance of complying with rules.
He also acknowledged that workers were feeling pressure to cut corners in an intensely competitive industry. Toyota management needs to better understand what is happening on the ground as auto industry technology rapidly evolves, Sato said.
“We recognize that not only people at the testing site but also management did not have proper understanding of certification,” he said.
The latest problem affects 7,000 vehicles a month in
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