News from the auto industry shows Daihatsu pausing operations at all four of its Japanese plants next week amid a scandal involving falsified crash test data. Reports from TASS, citing NHK, indicate the company is awaiting a government review and that the exact reopening date remains uncertain. The pause affects production across the entire Daihatsu network in Japan, with ripple effects that could extend to exports and dealer inventories in North America as well.
The core issue centers on falsified information used to secure government certification for vehicle safety. Investigators began examining violations linked to four models in April 2023, and an independent commission later identified more than 170 violations across dozens of models, including those branded under the Toyota umbrella. The findings have broader implications for trust in safety data and exacerbate concerns among regulators and retailers in Canada and the United States who rely on robust, verifiable safety records for import and sale of vehicles from this segment of the market.
As a consequence of the inquiry, deliveries of all Daihatsu vehicles and Toyota-brand models from Japan have been halted, while production of several lines was suspended earlier in 2023. The interruption reverberates beyond the factory floor, potentially affecting supply chains, dealership stock, and consumer confidence across North America where these brands are present through various distribution channels.
Separately, the Toyota Motor Corporation has announced a separate recall affecting more than a million vehicles in the United States due to a defect in the front passenger seat occupant sensing system. The sensor may fail to detect a occupant properly, increasing the risk of airbags not deploying in a crash. Affected models manufactured between 2020 and 2022 include common sedans and SUVs such as Camry, Corolla, RAV4, as well as Lexus ES and RX. The recall involves diagnostic checks and repair work to restore proper airbag deployment and occupant protection, a critical safety priority for both consumers and fleets operating in the North American market [citation: Toyota recall notice].
These developments come amid broader scrutiny of vehicle safety data disclosure practices within major automakers. In parallel reporting, attention has been drawn to regulatory actions related to toll-road usage in Russia, where fines were reported in connection with free travel on toll facilities. This broader trend underscores how corporate compliance and safety data integrity influence regulatory relationships and consumer decisions on both sides of the Atlantic. Analysts in Canada and the United States emphasize the importance of transparent risk communication, independent verification of safety data, and prompt recall actions to maintain public trust and minimize disruption to buyers and fleets depending on accurate vehicle information [citation: industry update].