Three diesel-powered models—the Fortuner SUV, Innova Crysta MPV, and Hilux pickup truck—were temporarily pulled off the market by Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) in India following the disclosure on January 29 by Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) of the discovery of anomalies in vehicle testing. Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has reiterated that the diesel engines satisfy the requirements set forth by the Indian government. In a brief media statement today, the company announced that the three models in question will once again be dispatched.
TKM has reaffirmed that the diesel engines comply with the requirements set forth by India. As such, the delivery of the Innova Crysta, Fortuner, and Hilux has recommenced after a brief temporary cessation. We are sorry if this has inconvenienced our valued clients. According to the company’s statement, “as a customer-centric organisation, we continue to remain committed to delivering the highest quality and safest products.”
Three diesel engine models’ horsepower output tests showed disparities, according to a special investigation committee charged by TMC affiliate Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) with looking into possible certification irregularities. According to TMC, in order to achieve more consistent and smoother results, engine horsepower performance was measured during certification testing using ECUs that used different software than what was used in mass production. Following re-verification testing on mass-produced vehicles, TMC was able to confirm that there is no need to stop using the impacted vehicles due to compliance with performance standards.
Ten passenger car models from the Toyota and Lexus brands have the questioned engines installed. These are the ones that are available in India: the 3.3-liter ‘F33A’ V6 in the Lexus LX500d and Toyota Land Cruiser 300; the 2.8-liter four-cylinder ‘1GD’ series in the Fortuner and Hilux; and the 2.4-liter four-cylinder ‘2GD’ diesel in the Innova Crysta.
TKM made it clear that this information does not point to any safety concerns, emission variances, or performance deficiencies. The main irregularity is that power and torque curves are smoothed without exaggerating horsepower, torque, or other powertrain-related figures. TKM promised to provide customers with information regarding the results for vehicles that were dispatched but not delivered, and to offer delivery to those who choose to accept it.
A Toyota Kirloskar representative responded to a query from our sister publication Autocar Professional at the time by saying that the anomalies were related to the “smoothing” of power and torque curves and did not result in any overstatements or overclaims regarding horsepower, torque, or other powertrain-related figures. The spokesperson added, “Moreover, this has no effect on the emissions or safety of the affected vehicles.”
According to the report, Toyota will thoroughly explain this condition to customers for cars that have already been dispatched but have not yet been delivered to them.Since there were no changes in horsepower, torque, or other powertrain-related metrics, Toyota Kirloskar stated, “We would like to reassure our existing customers by stating that we believe their vehicles are unaffected by these irregularities,” according to the report.The Innova Crysta, Fortuner, and Hilux models make up nearly one-third of Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s overall sales in India.
For the fourth year running, Toyota Motor Corporation has maintained its position as the best-selling carmaker in the world. The company announced a 7.2% increase in global sales to 11.2 million in 2023, which included sales at truck and small-car manufacturer Hino Motors and Daihatsu.
For this reason, the company kept making and accepting orders for the Innova, Fortuner, or Hilux even though dispatches had been halted. In the case of cars that have already been shipped but not yet received by the customer, we will thoroughly explain this condition to them. For clients who choose to accept their cars, we will then handle registration and delivery,” the representative said.