- Toyota retains its position as the world's top-selling automaker for the fourth consecutive year, surpassing Volkswagen.
- Chairman Akio Toyoda issues apologies for scandals at three group companies: Hino Motors, Daihatsu, and Toyota Industries.
- Toyota outlines a vision for its group and emphasizes the importance of honesty and ethical practices among employees.
Toyota Motor secures its status as the world's leading automaker, maintaining its crown for the fourth straight year. The accomplishment follows a record-breaking year with global sales reaching 11.2 million vehicles in 2023.
Despite this success, Chairman Akio Toyoda expressed regret for scandals involving governance issues at subsidiary companies Hino Motors and Daihatsu, as well as affiliate Toyota Industries. These irregularities relate to certification test procedures for cars and engines, posing potential risks to the brand's global reputation for quality and safety.
During an event outlining the vision for the Toyota group, Toyoda extended his deepest apologies to customers and stakeholders affected by the controversies. Emphasizing ethical conduct, one of the highlighted attitudes for employees is to "be honest and make things in a right way."
Toyota's global group sales exceeded 10 million vehicles for nine of the past ten years, reinforcing its strong market presence. However, recent challenges, including Daihatsu's suspension of car shipments due to safety concerns, pose potential headwinds to the company's sales momentum.
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