Japanese Automaker Daihatsu Admits To Manipulating Safety Test Data

The recent admission by Daihatsu, an affiliate brand of Toyota, that it manipulated safety test data has raised serious concerns about the auto industry's commitment to safety. Daihatsu admitted that it had rigged the interior door trim in one of its vehicles during side-collision crash testing to avoid the detection of a potential injury risk. As a result, approximately 88,000 cars sold globally, the majority of which were branded as Toyotas, have been impacted by fraudulent testing. The incident highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the auto industry, especially in relation to safety testing.

Daihatsu initially became aware of the fraudulent testing when a whistleblower from within the company raised concerns earlier this month. Following an investigation, Daihatsu confirmed that modifications had been made to the interior of a vehicle prior to safety tests. Specifically, the interior door trim had been notched to prevent a sharp break when side airbags were deployed. This modification was not reflected in the production vehicles, raising questions about potential safety risks. The affected vehicles include the Toyota Yaris Ativ manufactured in August 2022 and the Perodua Axia produced in February 2023. The majority of impacted vehicles, comprising 76,289 units, were Yaris models sold in markets such as Mexico, Thailand, and Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

The fraudulent testing by Daihatsu underscores the importance of stringent safety testing and transparency in the auto industry. Customers rely on automakers to ensure the safety of their products, and any attempts to manipulate safety test data undermine the trust that customers place in these brands. The lack of transparency and accountability in the industry is a major concern, especially given the number of high-profile safety recalls in recent years.