Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has resumed deliveries of Innova Crysta, Fortuner and HiLux utility vehicles in India. The company had temporarily stopped shipments to India following the global suspension of some diesel engines. The company has claimed that the diesel engines comply with Indian regulations. On January 29, 2024 toyota motor Corporation (TMC) had revealed irregularities in vehicle testing, after which the sale of diesel engine vehicles was stopped.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s statement
A statement issued by the company said, “Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has reconfirmed that the diesel engines comply with the prescribed Indian regulations. As a result, the deliveries of Innova Crysta, Fortuner and HiLux have been halted for some time.” “We have since resumed operations. We regret the inconvenience caused to our respected customers. As a customer-centric organization, we are committed to delivering the highest quality and safest vehicles.”
Flaws revealed after investigation
Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO), a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, had formed a special investigation committee to investigate possible irregularities in the certification of diesel engines. The committee’s findings revealed discrepancies in the horsepower output of three diesel engine models.
No need to stop using affected vehicles
TMC revealed that during certification tests, engine horsepower performance was measured using an ECU with separate software instead of mass-production software to give less variables and smoother results. A validation test later conducted on mass-production vehicles confirmed compliance with performance standards. Therefore, there was no need to discontinue the use of the affected vehicles.
There was a problem with these models
Toyota diesel engines affected by the problem included the 2.4-litre, 2.8-litre and 3.3-litre V6. The 2.4-litre 2GD four-cylinder diesel engine powers the Toyota Innova Crysta, while the 2.8-litre 1GD four-cylinder diesel is seen in the Fortuner and HiLux models. The 3.3-litre F33A V6 diesel powers the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 and Lexus LX 500d. Distributors also say that the waiting period across the company’s model range is around a few weeks, which is average depending on the model.