Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has suspended the shipment of the Innova Crysta, Fortuner and the Hilux in India due to the irregularities of certification in diesel engines. This decision is based on a report from the special investigation committee that found potential irregularities of three diesel engines during the horsepower output testing for the certification. Toyota Motor Corporation stated that Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) was commissioned to develop these diesel engines for automobiles.
In a global press release, Toyota has said that during certification testing, the horsepower output performance of engines was measured using ECUs with software that differed from that used for mass production so that results could measure to make values appear smoother with less variation. Ten vehicles are using the affected engines globally, including the Innova Crysta, Fortuner and the Hilux in India.
Express Drives reached out to Toyota Kirloskar over the decision to temporarily call off deliveries of the Innova Crysta, Fortuner and the Hilux in India and how will it affect the vehicle deliveries and waiting period. TKM said, “The irregularities concern the ‘smoothing’ of power and torque curves but did not lead to any over-stating or over-claims on horsepower, torque or other powertrain related values. Moreover, this does not have any impact on the emissions or safety of the affected vehicles.” The Toyota Land Cruiser 300 is also one of the ten models affected by this decision, which is available in the India via the CBU route.
Even though TKM has decided to temporarily suspend the dispatch of affected vehicles, the company has confirmed that the manufacturing and taking orders of the Innova Crysta, Fortuner and Hilux will continue. “As such, in case of Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd (TKM), also the dispatch of affected vehicles will be temporarily suspended. However, new order taking will continue. For cars that have already been dispatched but have not yet been delivered to the customer, we will carefully explain to our customers about this condition. Thereafter, we will proceed with registration and delivery for customers who opt to receive their vehicles,” clarified TKM.
TKM has further explained, “We would like to reassure our existing customers by stating that we believe their vehicles are unaffected by these irregularities, as this did not result in any variations in horsepower, torque or other powertrain-related values. Additionally, this has not compromised the emissions or safety of their vehicles. Nevertheless, TKM sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience and concern this irregularity may cause to our customers and other stakeholders.”
Toyota global has also reassured, “We have re-verified the mass-produced products manufactured at the plant and confirmed that the affected engines and vehicles meet engine performance output standards. Therefore, there is no need to stop using the affected engines or vehicles. However, we deeply apologize to our customers who have been supporting affected vehicles and waiting for a long time, and also to all other stakeholders for the significant inconvenience and concern that this has caused.”
Toyota is working with relevant authorities to re-confirm the data used for the certification of the affected vehicles.
