Toyota’s truck subsidiary Hino cheated their emission tests, falsifying data to make their diesel engines appear cleaner than what they are.
Hino has suspended Japanese sales and production of one medium-duty engine and two heavy-duty engines believed to have been manipulated to achieve low emission targets.
In a statement, Hino says falsifying emission readings could have begun as far back as 2016.
Investigations into the tests of the medium-duty engine A05C (HC-SCR) suggest Hino deliberately swapped certain exhaust parts to meet regulatory emission standards.
Hino also believes the engine may exceed emission limits for its entire useful life.
Likewise, two heavy-duty engines (A09C and E13C) had their fuel economy readings manipulated to make them appear better than what they were.
There is potential a fourth engine, a light-duty motor not currently for sale, might fall foul of reporting a misleading fuel economy figure.
“We sincerely apologize,” a Hino spokesperson said. They went on to say measures up to and including a recall will be dealt with promptly.
Almost 115,000 Hino vehicles may be affected by the issue.
The investigation concluded by suggesting internal pressure to meet strict standards forced Hino employees to cheat.
Plans to restructure Hino’s operations are in the pipeline.
“Going forward, Hino is committed to putting compliance first,” the company said.
Hino’s shareholders have made their voices heard.
Shares have crashed 16.8 per cent since Hino’s brief statement was publicly announced. It’s their biggest one-day fall in two decades.
“In order to restore the confidence of all stakeholders, Hino commits to carefully reviewing the reports from the outside experts, taking effective remedial measures and reforming its corporate structure to put compliance first,” read the statement.
Nearly 3,000 Toyota vehicles fitted with the identified engines are also expected to be recalled.
