Toyota confirms no impact from Kobe Steel scandal

Toyota confirms no impact from Kobe Steel scandal

Toyota has finalised its investigation into the impact of the Kobe Steel scandal on its products, and owners can finally breathe a sigh of relief. The carmaker has confirmed that no Toyota or Lexus vehicles have been affected by the use of subpar materials from the Japanese steel manufacturer, and that its vehicles’ quality and performance satisfy its own internal standards.

In October, Kobe Steel released a series of statements acknowledging that it had fabricated data about the quality of the aluminium and copper it had provided to clients, which included a number of carmakers such as Toyota. Inspection certificates of flat-rolled and extruded aluminium as well as copper products – shipped between September last year to August this year – were said to be altered or falsified to match requirements specified by customers. Dozens of employees were reportedly involved in the misconduct.

In response, Toyota examined the data that Kobe Steel provided – going back a year or more – and evaluated the potential impacts of the materials purchased, using the data that contained the largest deviations from the specifications of Toyota or its suppliers.

Toyota confirms no impact from Kobe Steel scandal

The company already released preliminary results of the investigation on October 19 and November 6, which found that the use of aluminium plates and some additional materials from Kobe Steel had no impact of the quality and performance of its vehicles. It also said that other materials mentioned in Kobe Steel’s announcements on October 20 and 26 were not used on its vehicles.

Toyota has now confirmed that aluminium extrusions, cladding, steel powder, sputtering target materials, copper tubes, steel wires and other materials sourced from outside Japan, as well as copper products procured both in Japan and elsewhere, have also not affected its vehicles, bringing the matter to a close.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • All Toyota or Lexus cars are NCAP 5star certified. so mana ada impact ?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 8
  • panjang on Jan 18, 2018 at 12:50 pm

    Kobe admitted they falsified the data to ‘meet’ customer requirement but Toyota said item they received complied with their requirement.

    Its like a guy admitted with murder and all the evidence is there together with the murder weapon BUT not charged due to no strong case.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • 12yrsold on Jan 18, 2018 at 12:51 pm

    Oh No. I’ve been Vindicated. This will make Bashers wagging their tails between their legs. Fret Not bashers bcos there are plenty more to bash. Just wait for Toyo bad news. Cheers…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • theanswer on Jan 18, 2018 at 1:54 pm

      Given their superior rail tech & perfect safety records. jepunis Shinkansen is the answer for KL-SG HSR.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
      • After so many many gates, jepunis quality is a pale shadow of their reputation.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
  • Just like initially they konpem nothing wrong with their cars using Takata airbags, huh?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Steelgate, QAgate, FCgate, airbaggate, axlegate. What next; Confirmnoproblemgate?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • 7yrsold on Jan 18, 2018 at 5:10 pm

    Of course no impact, very thin steel but ANCAP oso get 5 star but that oni textbook tests. Who wants to judge the impact real world accidents ?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Simon on Jan 18, 2018 at 7:07 pm

    Do not believe the news coming from Toyota alone unless it comes from an independent body.

    Nobody wants to tell you that his or her house is in a mess unless a third person had seen it or been there to glimpse to tell the true situation.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
 

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