Japan’s transport ministry raided the headquarters of motor big Toyota on Tuesday, as a scandal over defective security information escalated.
The world’s largest carmaker has apologised for offering incorrect or manipulated information for security certification exams.
The scandal has shaken up the Japanese automotive trade, with rivals Honda, Mazda and Suzuki additionally admitting to submitting defective information.
Toyota bought greater than 11 million passenger autos in 2023.
It has mentioned the findings don’t have an effect on the protection of autos already on the highway.
The firm has suspended the manufacturing of three automotive fashions – the Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio and Yaris Cross.
It has additionally been accused of utilizing modified autos throughout security collision exams, for autos which can be now not in manufacturing.
The raids come a day after Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda apologised to prospects and automotive lovers.
He bowed deeply and held the place for a couple of seconds, which is customary in Japan when corporations apologise 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 due to be inspected by the authorities over the same issue.
Honda said it found wrongdoing on tests related to noise and engine power, but it has stressed that its vehicles are safe to drive.
Mazda has halted the shipments of some cars and said it will bear the cost to its suppliers.
However, the company added that it is not planning on issuing recalls.
The findings also apply to one Suzuki car model that is no longer being produced.
Earlier this year, Toyota urged owners of 50,000 older vehicles in the US to get immediate repairs as airbag inflators made by Takata could explode and kill.
The “Do Not Drive” advisory coated a number of the world’s greatest carmaker’s fashions from 2003 to 2005.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1wwj1p2wdyo