‘Living off their legacy now’: Toyota offices get raided in Japan. Expert says it’s a safety issue they addressed differently than Honda and Mazda

The scandal involving Toyota and other Japanese automakers falsifying testing data or conducting improper tests on vehicles could have significant long-term impacts on their reputation concerning vehicle reliability5. The revelation of these practices has already led to halted shipments and shaken consumer trust.

Firstly, the scandal could lead to increased scrutiny of these companies' practices, both from regulatory bodies and the public. This could result in more rigorous testing requirements and stricter regulatory oversight, potentially increasing the costs and time associated with bringing vehicles to market.

Secondly, the scandal could impact consumer perception of these brands. Even if the companies involved maintain that vehicle performance and safety remain unaffected, the mere association with falsified data could cause consumers to question the reliability and safety of their vehicles3. This could lead to decreased sales and market share, as consumers may turn to other brands they perceive as more reliable or trustworthy.

Thirdly, the companies involved may need to invest significantly in rebuilding consumer trust. This could involve increased transparency about their testing processes, as well as efforts to improve quality control and ensure the accuracy of their data. These efforts could be costly and time-consuming, potentially diverting resources from other areas of the business.

In the long term, the impact of the scandal on these companies' reputation concerning vehicle reliability will depend on how they respond to the situation. If they are able to effectively address the issues and regain consumer trust, they may be able to mitigate the negative impacts. However, if they fail to adequately address the problem, they could face long-lasting damage to their reputation and competitiveness in the market.

The specific allegations made against Toyota and other automakers, including Mazda, Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha, in the Japanese safety test scandal are that they submitted incorrect or manipulated safety test data when applying for certification of certain vehicles. This manipulation included using inadequate or outdated data in collision tests, incorrect testing of airbag inflation and rear-seat damage in crashes, and falsifying engine power tests4. Some of the issues found were related to noise and output tests, as well as the use of incorrect engine control software in tests. The irregularities were found in applications for several vehicle models, which led to the Japanese transport ministry ordering the suspension of shipments of some vehicles.