Japan’s MLIT lifts shipment suspension of Toyota diesel engines affected by irregularities

MANILA: Toyota is set to resume the production of vehicles fitted with diesel engines from Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO).

In a statement, the Japanese automaker said that the decision was made following the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s (MLIT) decision to lift the suspension against TICO last February 27.

Per Toyota, its Inabe Production line 1 and Gifu Auto Body Production line 1 will resume production on March 4 with engines from TICO — meaning that all of its manufacturing facilities in Japan will continue operations. Aside from that, the company said that shipments to domestic destinations will start again.

Earlier, Toyota had suspended the operation of some of its production lines due to certification irregularities of TICO diesel engines. The affected engines were the 1GD (equipped in the Land Cruiser Prado, Hiace, Hilux, and Fortuner) 2GD (fitted in the Hilux and Innova), and the F33A (found in the Land Cruiser 300 and Lexus LX500d).

“Toyota will continue to provide support to TICO so that it can return to its roots and revitalize its engine business. In addition, as a Group-wide activity, we will once again review the situation to thoroughly ensure that safety and quality are the top priorities,” the company said in the statement.

Below are the vehicles that resume production:

Production line	TICO models equipped with affected engines	Other
Inabe Plant Production line #1	Hiace, Ace, Granace	Alphard, Vellfire
Gifu Auto Body Production line #1	Hiace, Ace	Ambulance

 

Photos from Ruben Manahan IV

Also read:

Toyota PH guarantees ‘no affected units’ in latest engine certification issue

Daihatsu to follow MLIT directive regarding irregularity issues

Toyota to support Daihatsu in irregularity ordeal