Toyota chairman apologises as Japanese carmakers are found to have cheated vehicle tests

As a result, Toyota has temporarily suspended production of several models in Japan, including the Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio, and Yaris Cross. The company has confirmed that vehicles already on the road remain safe, with no impact on customer safety.

Toyota Responds With Public Apology

Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda addressed the media directly, offering a sincere apology and acknowledging the company’s responsibility to correct its mistakes. He emphasised that while Toyota is not perfect, it is committed to identifying issues and improving its processes.

The company also released a formal statement outlining its commitment to transparency and reinforcing that it takes the findings extremely seriously.

If you’re interested in how government policy and industry behaviour can affect consumers, you may want to read our article on why car buyers will be the ones paying for ZEV fines.

Other Carmakers Also Affected

Toyota is not alone. Other major Japanese manufacturers, including Mazda and Honda, have also acknowledged irregularities in their certification testing. Some models were temporarily halted while companies reviewed their processes and corrected the issues.

Despite the testing irregularities, all affected brands have confirmed that the safety of vehicles already on the road has not been compromised.

A Wake‑Up Call for the Industry

The findings highlight the importance of rigorous testing and transparent certification processes. While the situation has raised concerns, it has also prompted manufacturers to strengthen their internal checks and reinforce their commitment to safety and compliance.

For more insight into risks facing motorists today, take a look at our article on ‘crash for cash’ moped scams.

If you’re navigating the changing automotive landscape, our car valuation guidance hub offers practical advice to help you make informed decisions.

Ready to Get A Free Valuation?

With trust in certain manufacturers shaken, some drivers are reassessing their options. If you’re one of them, and you’re now looking at seeing how much your car could be worth, we’d love to help with that.

You can get a free instant, no‑pressure valuation here with our free online car valuation tool.