Some of the biggest car manufacturers including Toyota and Honda are affected by an industrial scandal in Japan over falsified data relating to the strength and durability of aluminium used in the production of their cars.
Kobe Steel Ltd, one of Japan’s key metal producers, said its staff had falsified the strength and durability of metal products delivered to more than 200 companies that include automotive manufacturers, aerospace companies and even the space industry. The company works with several major car manufacturers including Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Ford and General Motors.
Kobe Steel said data had been falsified to make the metals look as if they met quality standards. The false data has been linked back to four aluminium factories in Japan, and for some items, the practice goes back nearly 10 years, the executive vice president, Naoto Umehara confirmed. The company is now investigating the practice, but says so far there have been no safety concerns.
Toyota confirmed that it has used aluminium with falsified strength and durability ratings in its doors and other outer areas. A spokesman said: “We are rapidly working to identify which vehicle models might be subject to this situation and what components were used.
“We recognize that this breach of compliance principles on the part of a supplier is a grave issue.”
Honda also confirmed it used materials with false ratings in its doors and hoods, while Mazda and Mitsubishi are currently investigating whether their vehicles are affected.
Will Kobe Steel become the next ‘Takata airbag’ scandal to hit Japan? Tell us in the comments below…
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