Suzuki has been raided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism after it was discovered that they manipulated brake performance test data for Alto trucks produced from 2014 to 2017.
Suzuki allegedly submitted shorter braking distance test results than the actual results, and it is suspected that the responsible person intentionally altered the results due to insufficient time for retesting.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is taking this incident seriously and is expected to conduct a thorough investigation into Suzuki and demand measures to prevent recurrence.
Due to irregularities related to certification tests at five Japanese automakers, the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism conducted a raid on Suzuki's headquarters in Hamamatsu City on June 9th. According to the Ministry, the vehicles involved in Suzuki's irregularities are Alto cargo vehicles manufactured and sold between 2014 and 2017. Suzuki stated that during the test measuring the braking distance when the brake was repeatedly applied, they submitted a shorter distance than the actual result. It is presumed that the person in charge intentionally altered the results because there wasn't enough time for a retest. The raid will involve examining test data and documents, as well as questioning those involved.
When Suzuki applied for type approval in September 2014 for the Alto (cargo specification) (without ABS), in the "Truck and Bus Braking System Test Record and Result (TRIAS 12-J010-01-Appendix)" they submitted, they recorded a shorter braking distance for the test measuring the braking distance in a high-temperature state after repeated braking system tests than the actual measured braking distance.
Regarding these irregularities, Suzuki explained, "In the internal certification test, the brake pedal force was significantly lower than the specified value, resulting in a braking distance that was not sufficiently compliant with the legal requirements. However, there was no time to conduct a retest before the deadline for submitting the test results. Therefore, it is presumed that the person involved in the test assumed that it would be acceptable to change the braking distance if the brake was applied close to the specified value and intentionally changed it." However, Suzuki has stated that it has already transitioned to a process that prevents such irregularities from occurring.
Suzuki's irregularities are limited to Alto cargo vehicles produced and sold from 2014 to 2017, and it is said that there is no impact on safety. However, this incident reveals that irregularities related to certification tests are widespread among Japanese automakers.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism takes this incident seriously and is expected to conduct a thorough investigation of Suzuki. Furthermore, Suzuki needs to establish measures to prevent a recurrence to ensure that such irregularities are never repeated.