Quality, safety and technology

In Brazil and worldwide, Toyota strives to uphold the attributes of reliability, safety and durability as brand differentials. As the outright leader in segments such as midsize sedans and with a growing presence in the compact and hybrid categories, the company seeks to incorporate leading edge technology and innovation, while ensuring safety in all its processes and end products.

The Toyota Production System (TPS), which underpins all the company's activities, from research and development to the sale of the finished product, is focused on controlling risk, waste and defects which could threaten the integrity of employees and end consumers. At both global and local level, the company has committees and working groups responsible for verifying each vehicle's conformance with Toyota safety standards, as well as with local legislation.

The automotive sector is subject to impacts and risks related to quality and safety, such as mechanical failures, assembly issues, breakdowns and the non-activation of safety equipment in accidents. To prevent this kind of occurrence, the company invests in recall campaigns and maintains its Special Committee for Global Quality, a global group that defines the Toyota quality standards and safeguards the company's reputation.

TDB has its Swift Market Analysis Response Teams (Smart), specialized technical groups that respond to more complex post-sale calls from customers. In 2015, 2,077 cases were discussed in meetings and a further 1,085 incidents were considered to be potential cases.

In 2015, TDB organized the largest recall campaign in its history, involving over 640,000 Corolla units due to a potential defect in the activation of the airbag. This incident represented a significant challenge which mobilized all the Customer Relations teams, the dealership network and Toyota suppliers (read more in Customers).

Safety guarantee     G4-14, G4-PR1

Both as standard equipment and optional extras, TDB offers components, systems and technologies that ensure safety and comfort for drivers. Frequently, these measures represent innovations in the market – an example being the double airbag offered in all Toyota vehicles before this became mandatory in Brazil. Other examples are the high-density polyethylene bed liner on the Hilux and the progressive deformation of the vehicle bodywork and collapsible steering columns in the event of collision in the Corolla and Etios models.

TDB was also ahead of Brazilian legislation in adopting the Isofix anchorage system for children's seats in the 2015 model of the Corolla. With the launch of the 2017 Etios, Toyota is now offering three-point safety belts and head rests for all the seats, as well as Isofix anchorage (in two positions) for children's seats in all its vehicles commercialized in Brazil.  By law, these items will only be mandatory for all vehicles sold in the country in 2020.

It is TMC policy to carry out risk assessments in new vehicle projects to guarantee customer safety and well-being, as well as ensuring defect-free production processes.

To provide an external rating of vehicle performance, Toyota participates in Latin NCAP, an independent safety assessment of new vehicles in Latin America and the Caribbean. This ranges from crash tests to assess how the vehicle's structure protects occupants in collisions to other safety items aligned with United Nations Organization (UNO) road traffic safety criteria and standards.

Worthy of note in fiscal 2015/2016 was the 2016 Toyota Hilux, produced in the Zárate plant in Argentina, the first midsize pickup to undergo this assessment. The vehicle obtained five stars  – on a scale from zero to five –, in protection of both adult and child occupants of the vehicle.

The new Toyota SW4 (Fortuner) was also submitted to Latin NCAP tests; like the Hilux, the SUV received the top rating (five stars) in protection of both adult and child occupants.

In the 2015 tests, the Corolla also performed well among the midsize sedans manufactured in Brazil, gaining five stars for occupants of the front seats and four stars for rear seat passengers. Another Toyota vehicle assessed was the RAV4, which received 5 stars for adult occupants and 4 stars for children. For the coming cycles, Toyota is working on enhancing safety levels in its vehicles even further.