Daihatsu Admits To Rigging Crash Tests, Perodua Axia And Toyota Vios Parts Shipments Suspended

Daihatsu Motor Co. has admitted to committing wrongdoing after discovering that crash testing efforts involving four overseas models have been rigged. The Toyota affiliate reportedly confirmed this through an official statement issued yesterday (Friday), and has promptly halted shipments of certain parts for the affected models.

Amongst the four is the Perodua-badged Axia, its Toyota-badged Agya twin, the Toyota Vios (Yaris Ativ), as well as an unnamed product that's still undergoing development. The firm adds that up to 88,000 units of these affected models have already gone on sale in 11 markets including Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Shipments of both the Axia and Vios have been reportedly suspended following the discovery of Daihatsu's rigged crash tests.

Upon making the discovery, Daihatsu Motor Co. states that new shipments of certain parts of these affected models have been suspended. Both Daihatsu and parent Toyota will re-test these models to ascertain their compliance with regulations before rebooting their shipments.

“The inside lining of the front seat door was improperly modified, and that there was a violation of the side collision test procedures and methods stipulated by regulations,” mentions Daihatsu.

Daihatsu reportedly altered the inner lining of the front seat door trims with a 'notch' during official tests. Said modification isn't present in either production versions of the Axia (left) and Vios (right).

The door trims on these affected vehicles had reportedly been modified with a “notch” that mitigates the risk of said the door panel breaking with a sharp edge and causing injuries when the side airbag  deploys. The modified notch used during these crash tests are not present in production versions of these affected vehicles.

In the same statement, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda said that Daihatsu’s wrongdoing was a matter that concerns safety, and calls it as an unacceptable act. “We will begin by conducting a detailed investigation and thoroughly collecting facts to understand the true cause, and work diligently to prevent a recurrence,” adds the renowned Japanese auto exec.

Roughly 11,800 units of the Perodua Axia are part of the reported 88,000 units affected.

After which, Toyoda reassured that the both firms will inform the public in a timely manner of the facts learnt throughout said firm’s investigative efforts. On top of which, Daihatsu reassured that customers using these models aren’t required to do anything just yet.

Additionally, the discovery of this crash test ‘cheating’ was prompted by a whistleblower report, according to Reuters. The issue has been reported to regulatory agencies, which in turn prompted suspending shipment of select parts for these affected models.

The number of Toyota Vios (Yaris Ativ) affected stands much higher at roughly 76,000 units.

Roughly 11,800 units of said affected vehicles were built and sold as the new Perodua Axia, with the remaining 76,000 units or so being the Toyota-branded Yaris Ativ (Vios) model mainly bound for Thailand, Mexico, as well as the Middle East.

Presently, neither Perodua nor UMW Toyota Malaysia have responded. We will have more updates as the situation develops.