Toyota to Oversee Model Certification at Daihatsu to Regain Trust
Following a safety testing scandal, Toyota will take a leadership role in various areas at its subsidiary Daihatsu, including product development and procurement. This move aims to regain trust among dealers, customers, and workers.
Masahiro Inoue, who took the helm of Daihatsu in March, stated that Toyota will oversee model certification at Daihatsu. He has been working to revive the company since taking over.
Inoue's predecessor resigned after allegations of widespread cheating on safety testing surfaced last year. A third-party review found violations, such as testing only one side of a car instead of both, had persisted for decades.
Production at Daihatsu was halted by a government order until proper tests can be done and a system set up to prevent a recurrence. Only some production has since resumed.
No major accidents have been reported in connection with the cheating, but the news has raised questions about oversight at Daihatsu.
Inoue apologized and said he has visited plants, dealers, and suppliers, trying to encourage better communication among the ranks. He acknowledged that trying to deliver products quickly to keep up with demand was one reason for the misconduct.
Inoue and Executive Vice President Masanori Kuwata, also from Toyota, emphasized the need for a change in the way people work at Daihatsu. They believe that by working together as a team, Daihatsu can regain trust and ensure the safety of its vehicles.