Photo/Illutration Toyota Motor Corp. President Koji Sato bows in the beginning of a news conference in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward on July 31. (Tatsuya Shimada)

The president of Toyota Motor Corp. apologized after his company received a corrective order from the transport ministry on July 31 that included additional findings of improper vehicle inspection testing. 

“We are deeply sorry for causing great concerns and inconvenience to everyone,” Koji Sato said at a news conference. 

The ministry’s investigation unveiled additional irregularities in the company's testing for "type approval" certification required to produce new vehicles in volume. 

Toyota submitted an internal survey result on July 5 that there were no additional irregularities found other than those reported for the seven models in June.

However, there were additional problems in the testing of seven additional models found in a survey conducted by the ministry, which was announced on July 31.

Asked about the series of irregularities, Sato said, “Both hands-on employees in our factories and management have issues that need to be addressed.”

The Toyota president admitted that the company was too "optimistic" in the manner in which it conducted its internal survey and interpreted the results. 

“We in management need to reflect on the fact that we have been leaving everything on the certification tests up to the employees who were engaged in the physical work,” Sato said. 

In its corrective order, the ministry demanded that Toyota strengthen its governance and improve its awareness to comply with the law.

At the news conference, when asked about his management responsibility and that of Chairman Akio Toyoda, Sato said, “It is our responsibility to take initiatives to improve our company.”

Related News