Toyota, Honda Verify Safety of Certain Kobe Steel Products
Both automakers conduct their own tests to confirm that Kobe Steel-supplied aluminum plates and panels conform to safety standards.
Both Toyota and Honda released statements on Oct. 19 confirming that their own preliminary tests have identified no safety risks associated with the Kobe Steel products used in the manufacture of their vehicles.
Former Kobe Steel employees recently leaked to the Japanese media that the company has long fudged or falsified inspection data for a range of products sold to different industries.
Toyota said its investigation’s initial phase has focused on aluminum plates used in the construction of hoods, rear hatch and front-door hinge components of certain vehicles. The plates satisfy both regulatory and company safety standards, Toyota said.
Honda also said its tests on Kobe Steel aluminum panels met all safety standards.
But both automakers noted they would continue to assess the full impact of the Kobe Steel revelations since the company sells products to automotive suppliers as well.
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