Illegal Yamaha R1, R3 And TMax Sold In Japan, Company Caught

Trouble is brewing for some of Japan's biggest automakers, as Yamaha becomes one of the first to be caught in a noise pollution irregularity scandal. The company admitted to manipulating noise level tests on popular motorbike models.

This specific issue revolves around noise level tests conducted on three of its models: the YZF-R1, YZF-R3, and the TMAX scooter. The company has acknowledged manipulating test data related to how much noise these two-wheelers produce.

In response to the scandal, Yamaha has halted production of all three implicated models. This signifies that it takes the issue seriously and is likely working to fix the problem before resuming production.

In late January, Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) requested that all automakers investigate their certification applications following a safety test scandal at Toyota-owned Daihatsu. This wider investigation prompted a closer look at Yamaha's certification process, where discrepancies in noise level test data were uncovered.

Other Japanese Brands

The situation with Yamaha is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. This scandal encompasses multiple Japanese car and motorcycle manufacturers. Here's a breakdown of what other major brands are facing. Toyota, the biggest name embroiled in this mess, has been accused of tampering with safety tests on some car models, including airbags. This raises significant concerns about potential safety hazards for drivers and passengers. Honda is facing accusations of irregularities in noise and output tests conducted over eight years on discontinued models. The specifics of the issue are still under investigation. Mazda was found to have modified engine control software test results for the Mazda2 hatchback and Roadster RF sports car. It is also accused of tampering with crash tests on discontinued models. The Ministry has ordered it to halt shipments of the two mentioned models. While details of Suzuki's irregularities are still unclear, the Ministry has included Suzuki in the investigation.

Investigations are ongoing, and the full scope of the problem might not be fully understood yet. The Ministry is conducting independent tests to ensure all affected vehicles meet safety and environmental standards. We can expect more information to come to light in the coming weeks.