Toyota Malaysia and Perodua will not stop selling the 2023 Toyota Vios and the Perodua Axia in Malaysia despite the controversy surrounding vehicle chassis development partner Daihatsu's admission of procedural irregularities in its crash testing.

Also Read: Daihatsu admits rigging crash test: Next-gen Toyota Wigo and Vios affected

According to the president of UMW Toyota Motor (Toyota Malaysia), Datuk Ravindran K., customers who have booked their all-new Toyota Vios or are interested in purchasing one can be reassured that the model "complies with all safety regulations, and there is no compromise to the quality of the vehicles."

Meanwhile, Perodua president and CEO Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, also stated that the 2023 Perodua Axia, which shares the same platform and components with the Daihatsu Ayla and Toyota Agya/Wigo, will not be recalled, nor deliveries be stopped. "We were assured that despite the revelation by Daihatsu, the UN-R95 certification given to the Perodua Axia is intact,” confirmed Zainal. 

He further reassured the public that the Perodua Axia is "safe for driving and no recall will be issued nor will Perodua stop delivery of this new model to our valued customers."

Zainal added, "We apologise for any distress caused to our customers on this matter and we wish to assure that the safety information and specification of all our models are verified by professional bodies. We will continue to monitor this situation and will update the public on this matter as it develops. We place our customers safety and comfort above all else and we will continue to do so as part of our practice of ‘Going Beyond’ of what is expected.” 

But over in Thailand

While both Malaysian companies were convinced that there is no need to stop the production and sales of the 2023 model year Toyota Vios and Perodua Axia, Toyota Thailand has temporarily stopped the sales of the Vios pending retesting of the vehicle.

"However, for Thailand, it is necessary to re-check in Japan according to the Witness Testing requirements. Therefore, it is necessary to temporarily stop shipping and sell. After this, the company will expedite the delivery of the car as soon as possible. Under the instructions and approval by relevant agencies," said the company in an official statement. 

Toyota said the company conducted a side collision test in the presence of the agency managing the tests last April 28th. The results have been approved to meet UN-R95 requirements. 

Thus, it said that "there is no need to take any corrections." Which the company confirms that customers "can continue to use your car as usual." (Statement translated from the Thai language)

The root of it all

The crash test irregularity was discovered after a whistleblower report indicated that Daihatsu personnel added notches on the door sidings during crash testing to prevent them from breaking apart with sharp edges that could injure occupants once the side airbags deployed. The notches were not included in the production runs of the models involved in the tests.

Toyota is still investigating the cause of the crash test rigging by its subsidiary, Daihatsu.

With the 2023 Toyota Wigo and the Vios due for the Philippine market soon, do you think this move is enough to calm the legitimate concerns of would-be buyers?