A bombshell report out this morning has triggered some scary headlines about small Toyota vehicles. However American shoppers ought to perceive that primarily based on what we all know up to now, the report doesn’t have an effect on any vehicles bought within the U.S.
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What Occurred?
Daihatsu, a subsidiary of Toyota, admitted that its engineers had rigged crash take a look at outcomes for some small vehicles bought abroad.
What Is Daihatsu?
Daihatsu Motor Co. is a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Company. The model briefly bought vehicles within the U.S. within the late Nineteen Eighties and early Nineteen Nineties, however disappeared from the market after only some years. It now primarily builds very small vehicles often called kei vehicles for the Japanese home market. But it surely additionally handles some manufacturing of small Toyota merchandise bought abroad.
The corporate admitted this morning that it had rigged crash checks on some fashions. In an announcement, the corporate says it “has dedicated wrongdoings in approval software for aspect collision checks for automobiles (4 fashions) developed by Daihatsu destined for abroad markets.”
However none of these fashions seem like bought within the U.S.
What Vehicles Does This Have an effect on?
In an announcement, Daihatsu says the problem impacts Toyota Yaris Ativ sedans, Toyota Agya hatchbacks, Perodua Axia hatchbacks, and an unnamed mannequin nonetheless in improvement.
If most of these names sound overseas to you, they need to. Perodua model vehicles should not bought within the U.S. Neither is the Toyota Agya.
Toyota bought a small automotive referred to as the Yaris within the U.S. till 2020. The Yaris Ativ is a subcompact sedan primarily based on the identical platform however was by no means bought in America. Daihatsu’s admission doesn’t embrace the Toyota Yaris as soon as bought in America — simply newer fashions bought beneath that identify, designed after the Yaris was discontinued right here.
So not one of the affected vehicles have ever been on the market within the U.S.
How Did They Rig Crash Checks?
In some aspect affect checks, Daihatsu says, “the within lining of the entrance seat door was improperly modified.” Check engineers, Reuters experiences, reduce a small notch within the door “to reduce the chance in testing that the door inside might break with a pointy edge and trigger damage to an occupant.”
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What Is Toyota Doing About It?
Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, grandson of the corporate’s founder, has apologized to the general public and requested for time to research what led to Daihatsu’s determination. “We’ll proceed with an in depth investigation from right here on, however promise to decisively perceive what occurred on the web site, examine the true intentions, and sincerely work to stop a recurrence,” Toyoda stated. “We’re going to want a while to do this.”
What Does This Imply for American Toyota Drivers?
Nothing. Since not one of the affected vehicles are bought within the U.S., this can be a sensational headline however not a motive to fret about your security.