Toyota apologizes for cheating on vehicle testing and halts production of three models
Associated PressMay 25
Japanese Automakers Admit to Faking Safety Tests
Above: A worker assembles a Toyota Motor Corp Crown vehicle on the production line of the company's Motomachi factory on July 30, 2018. Image copyright: Tomohiro Ohsumi/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Several top Japanese automakers have admitted to circumventing Japan's safety regulations, falsifying reports, and mishandling vehicle testing for dozens of models over the past 10 years.
While Toyota appears to be the biggest offender, Honda, Mazda, Suzuki, and Yamaha also admitted to filing fake safety test reports. Though most models are discontinued, Toyota and Mazda have been forced to pause sales of current vehicles involved.
The Spin
Narrative A
Toyota's testing scandal adds a blemish to the Japanese auto industry and undermines the goodwill of the nation's renowned motor industry. It isn't the only Japanese company to falsify testing reports, but its improprieties have had the biggest impact on Japan's market and reputation. Toyota is losing credibility, and it's fair to question if these testing failures impacted the safety of its vehicles.
Narrative B
Toyota isn't a perfect company, and its leadership recognizes its mistakes. Like its fellow Japanese automakers, Toyota was pressured to rush vehicles to market under tight deadlines, causing it to skirt certain protocols. While this certainly wasn't the proper decision, it didn't impact the safety or performance of any cars. Drivers should continue to feel confident in their Toyotas.