Oct. 12, 2017—Millions of cars sold by Toyota and Honda could be a crash risk after it was revealed they are caught up in the Kobe Steel scandal, according to The Sun.
The manufacturers both said the incorrectly rated aluminium was used in their cars over the last 10 years.
The metal scandal broke after Kobe Steel, one of the key Asian metal producers, said its staff had given false strength and durability ratings.
Kobe Steel’s CEO said on Thursday the firm’s data-fabrication may have spread beyond Japan, reports Reuters, as he was ordered by the government to report on how the misconduct occurred and address safety concerns that have sparked a scare along global supply chains.
Hiroya Kawasaki told reporters the cheating scandal has left Kobe Steel’s credibility at “zero,” underscoring the deepening crisis at the steelmaker and the sweep of quality problems besetting Japan’s once-vaunted manufacturing sector.
Toyota confirmed it had used the product in doors and other body panels.
Honda also said the metal with dodgy ratings was used in doors and bonnets.
Mazda and Mitsubishi models could be caught up in the scandal, too.
While Kobe Steel also works with Nissan, Subaru, Ford and General Motors.
A Toyota spokesman said: "We are rapidly working to identify which vehicle models might be subject to this situation and what components were used.
