Toyota Motor has achieved the remarkable feat of being the world’s leading automaker for the fourth consecutive year, boasting a record-breaking 11.2 million vehicle sales in 2023. Despite this significant accomplishment, the company’s Chairman, Akio Toyoda, found himself issuing apologies in response to recent scandals that have plagued three of Toyota’s group companies, including Daihatsu and Hino Motors.
The reported sales figures encompass Toyota’s global group, revealing a substantial 7.2% increase in overall sales. Unfortunately, certain subsidiaries, such as Daihatsu and Hino Motors, encountered governance issues tied to certification test procedures for both cars and engines. Toyoda expressed sincere apologies for any inconveniences caused to customers and stakeholders as a result of these problems.
Toyota has consistently demonstrated its dominance in the automotive industry by surpassing 10 million vehicles sold globally for nine of the past ten years. The only exception was in 2020, a year marked by the widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the auto sector. Despite Toyota’s impressive global sales, it faces challenges stemming from recent safety-related scandals.
The German automaker Volkswagen Group reported a 12% surge in deliveries in 2023, reaching a commendable 9.2 million cars. While Toyota continues to showcase robust overall sales, it grapples with issues arising from recent safety-related incidents. Notably, Daihatsu’s suspension of car shipments last month following a safety investigation led to a production slump and a subsequent decline in sales.
Toyota temporarily halted shipments of specific models due to a diesel engine test scandal involving its supplier, Toyota Industries. These incidents have prompted a reevaluation of Toyota’s commitment to values such as honesty and doing things the right way, which were emphasized in the company’s recent vision event.
The discrepancies within its group companies have raised concerns about Toyota’s longstanding reputation for quality and safety.As Toyota navigates these challenges, the automotive industry watches closely to see how the company addresses and rectifies these issues to maintain its standing in the highly competitive market.
