Toyota fully resumes domestic production in wake of data scandal

NAGOYA (Kyodo) — Toyota Motor Corp. fully resumed domestic production Monday for the first time since a partial halt in late January following a data-rigging scandal at an affiliate that supplies engines.

The company restarted the remaining two production lines at two plants in central Japan, which make popular models such as the Hiace and Alphard, making all of its 14 assembly factories in the country fully operational for the first time in about a month.

The resumption at the plants in Mie and Gifu prefectures came as Japan’s transport ministry lifted a shipment ban on three diesel engines that affiliate Toyota Industries Corp. makes for the automaker, saying inspections confirmed the engines comply with requirements.

Toyota Industries said on Jan. 29 that it had fabricated data for a wide range of engines, leading to the halt of shipments of 10 models that Toyota sells globally and a stoppage of six production lines at four Toyota factories in central Japan at one point.

The data rigging, coupled with a quality issue at its small-car unit Daihatsu Motor Co., forced Toyota to lower its full-year sales forecast to 11.23 million vehicles from 11.38 million.

The scandals prompted a rare appearance before the media by Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, who apologized and vowed to strengthen the group’s compliance.

The world’s biggest automaker group has been hit by a series of quality scandals in recent years.

Daihatsu in December admitted to data rigging during safety testing for most of its models, resulting in the temporary stoppage of all shipments at home and abroad, including small cars it makes for Toyota.

Toyota’s truck subsidiary Hino Motors Ltd. also admitted in March 2022 to submitting fraudulent emissions and fuel economy data to transport authorities.

Toyota Industries said Monday it had resumed production and shipments of the affected engines.