Daihatsu Scandal: UMW Toyota Motor Responds

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) have issued their official response in light of recent new revelations of "procedural irregularities" by Daihatsu in Japan.

Earlier this week, revelations of “procedural irregularities” involving vehicles developed and produced by Daihatsu have surfaced once more. This follows up from the subsidiary’s admission of rigging crash-test results in April this year which initially affected models underpinning its latest DNGA chassis platform.

 This latest revelation prompted parent company Toyota to halt all shipments Daihatsu models once more and, unlike when the issue first broke earlier this year, up to 64 vehicle models are now affected.

Closer to home, the latest and now widening scandal involving Daihatsu is set to affect both UMWT and counterparts at national carmaker Perodua.

Following which, national carmaker Perodua was the first to respond on Wednesday evening whereby the firm stated its commitment to work with local authorities to ensure all its vehicles comply with existing regulations. Now, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has issued their response with similar promises.

UMWT says that it is now “working closely with regulatory authorities to promptly and transparently address the matter” whilst maintaining its commitment at delivering its vehicles to the local market.

Presently, up to four active models from the firm’s current line-up are affected, namely the latest DNGA-based Vios sedan and Veloz MPV offerings, the Yaris hatchback, as well the Rush 7-seat crossover. In contrast, this is less than what counterparts Perodua faces as the issue affects its ENTIRE current line-up.

Models under UMWT affected by this latest and now widening scandal include the Veloz 7-seat MPV, the latest-gen Vios sedan, the Yaris hatch, as well as the Rush 7-seat crossover.

Again, like Perodua, UMWT didn’t clarify the production status of these affected models. Toyota’s decision to halt shipping for all these affected models will likely see UMWT’s output also affected, albeit to a still unknown extent.

“We understand the importance of trust, and we want to reinforce the confidence our customers place in us,” said UMWT President Datuk Ravindran K. The exec also emphasised UMWT’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards and quality in its vehicles.

“Rest assured, we are actively working to ensure that all our vehicles in Malaysia strictly adhere to the relevant regulations and rules,” adds Datuk Ravindran K in his statement issued today.

As this is a developing situation, we will have more updates once details are made available.