Daihatsu has released a statement announcing that vehicle type approval (VTA) for three of its vehicles has been revoked by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT) of Japan, following the carmaker’s recent “procedural irregularities” involving several of its models here in Malaysia and worldwide. VTAs are crucial for carmakers to ensure that the cars the company produce meet specified performance standards, including safety.
Models which had their VTAs revoked include the Daihatsu Gran Max which is sold here in Malaysia, as well as the Toyota Town Ace, and the Mazda Bongo. Additionally, the MLIT has also issued Daihatsu a rectification order, urging the firm to make fundamental reforms to the corporate structures involved in the procedural irregularities. This is done to ensure that this type of procedural irregularity never occurs again.
The MLIT has also directed Daihatsu to promptly submit notice. This is done just in case it becomes necessary to conduct a recall of the two models (Daihatsu Cast and Toyota Pixis Joy) concerning which non-compliance with standards may have occurred.
Daihatsu said in the release, “We take very seriously the indications in the rectification order that we received at this time, and in addition to conducting a thorough review of our certification procedures, we will implement reforms from the perspectives of management, the workplace environment and culture, and appropriate Monodukuri and Kotodukuri with strict legal compliance as a fundamental premise.”
Perodua was also involved in the safety testing fiasco, where several of its models, including the Perodua Axia, Bezza, Ativa, Aruz, Alza, and Myvi were affected. However, no action has been taken against the local carmaker, with sales and production of the said models being unaffected here in Malaysia.
In response to the 174 irregularities pointed out by the third-party investigation committee, Perodua mentioned that it would carry out a “detailed assessment on the matter”. Perodua also said that it was working together with Malaysian authorities regarding the issue.
