Deliveries have been suspended amid the surfacing of irregularities in diesel engine horsepower certification testing.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor will be suspending despatches of the Innova Crysta, Fortuner and Hilux utility vehicles in India temporarily, amid discovery of irregularities in horsepower output certification test on the diesel engines in these models.
- Innova Crysta, Fortuner, Hilux account for almost a third of Toyota India’s sales
- Irregularities concern the ‘smoothing’ of power and torque curves
- Toyota will continue to produce and take orders for the three UVs
Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) had commissioned Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) to develop its diesel engines and on Monday, TICO reported to Toyota that a special investigation committee commissioned to investigate potential certification irregularities submitted a report stating that irregularities had occurred during the horsepower output certification testing for three diesel engines that Toyota had commissioned to TICO.
During certification testing, the horsepower output performance of engines was measured using ECUs with software that differed from that used for mass production, so that results could be measured to make values appear smoother with less variation. Ten models use the affected engines globally, including six in Japan, claimed the global statement from Toyota Motor Corporation. These three models – the Innova Crysta, Fortuner and Hilux – account for almost a third of Toyota Kirloskar’s total sales in India.
To sister publication Autocar Professional’s query, a Toyota Kirloskar spokesperson explained that the irregularities concern the ‘smoothing’ of power and torque curves, but did not lead to any over-stating or over-claims on horsepower, torque or other powertrain-related values. “Moreover, this does not have any impact on the emissions or safety of the affected vehicles,” assured the Toyota Kirloskar spokesperson.
Thus while deliveries have been suspended, the company will continue to produce and take orders for the said vehicles, and it will ensure transparent communication on power curves to buyers who are awaiting deliveries of their Innova, Fortuner or Hilux.
“As such, in the case of Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd (TKM), the despatch of affected vehicles will be temporarily suspended. However, new order taking will continue. For cars that have already been despatched, but have not yet been delivered to the customer, we will carefully explain to our customers about this condition. Thereafter, we will proceed with registration and delivery for customers who opt to receive their vehicles,” explained the spokesperson.
“Nevertheless, TKM sincerely apologises for any inconvenience and concern this irregularity may cause to our customers and other stakeholders,” noted the statement from Toyota Kirloskar.
Toyota Kirloskar said it is also working with relevant authorities to re-confirm the data used for the certification of the affected vehicles.
In a global statement, parent, Toyota Motor Corporation said that the company has re-verified the mass-produced products manufactured at the plant and confirmed that the affected engines and vehicles meet engine performance output standards.
“Therefore, there is no need to stop using the affected engines or vehicles. However, we deeply apologise to our customers who have been supporting affected vehicles and waiting for a long time, and also to all other stakeholders for the significant inconvenience and concern that this has caused,” added Toyota Motor Corp.
Based on the results of the investigation, its subsidiary TICO decided on Monday to temporarily suspend shipments of the affected engines.
Going forward, Toyota said it will provide detailed explanations to authorities and proceed with appropriate measures, including conducting testing in the presence of witnesses, if appropriate.
“We consider the appropriate process of certification to be a major prerequisite for doing business as an automobile manufacturer. We recognise the gravity of the fact that the repeated certification irregularities at TICO, following those at Daihatsu, have shaken the very foundations of the company as an automobile manufacturer,” said the release.
The episode may lead to restructuring of the relevant business, which will require a change, claims Toyota “in the mindset of all individuals, from management to employees, as well as a drastic reform of corporate culture. Such tasks cannot be accomplished overnight. Hence, as the party responsible for transferring the diesel engine business, Toyota will continue to provide support toward the revitalisation of TICO’s engine business.”
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