Toyota Motor Corporation has announced the results of an ongoing investigation into model certification tests, conducted based on instructions from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The findings were detailed at a press conference by Chairman Akio Toyoda and Shinji Miyamoto, Chief Officer of the Customer First Promotion Group.
In a comprehensive session, Chairman Toyoda and Miyamoto explained the investigation’s findings and addressed questions from the press. This comes as part of a broader effort to maintain transparency and reassure customers.
The investigation’s preliminary results were received by Chairman Toyoda on May 29. In the lead-up to the June 3 press conference, Toyoda’s primary concern was to avoid unnecessarily increasing customer anxiety. He drew from past experiences, such as the 2010 “Runaway Prius” incident, which heightened customer worries in Japan.
During the Q&A session, Chairman Toyoda made notable remarks such as “(Eliminating wrongdoing) is impossible,” “Et tu, Brutus?” and expressed a paradoxical gratitude that these issues had surfaced within Toyota. He elaborated on these statements in a subsequent episode of the Voice-Only Toyota Times News, recorded on June 5. In this nearly 35-minute discussion, he provided deeper insights into the certification work and Toyota’s commitment to resolving the issues.
The press conference also touched on the “TPS Jishuken (Joint Kaizen Activities),” where Chairman Toyoda shared his interpretation of the Toyota Production System (TPS). The details of these activities will soon be featured on Toyota Times News, providing further transparency into Toyota’s internal processes.
This ongoing investigation and Toyota’s proactive communication efforts reflect the company’s dedication to customer trust and continuous improvement in their certification practices.
