Uh oh, Toyota is in hot water. Toyota subsidiary Hino Motors was caught committing emissions fraud and is getting more than just a slap on the wrist. It’s facing a $1.6 billion settlement and has to take action to meet rising emission standards. 

Toyota subsidiary Hino Motors caught cheating emissions tests 

Hino Motors is an American semi-truck manufacturer. It’s a Toyota subsidiary that also manufactures heavy-duty trucks, diesel engines, and buses. 

Currently, Hino Motors is giving Toyota a bad look. It was caught using altered emission test data to get approval for importing and selling 110,000 diesel engines in America. From 2010 to 2022, most of the engines were equipped in heavy-duty trucks made by Hino. 

In a settlement, Hino is pleading guilty to engaging in a criminal conspiracy to mislead regulators and consumers, violating environmental protection laws, and endangering public health. 

A company commission panel admitted in a 2022 report that Hino falsified emissions data. It dates back to some engines dating back to 2023. According to CBS News, California is leading the charge and worked out criminal and civil penalties over $1.6 billion. 

The deal includes a $521.76 million criminal penalty, $442.5 million in civil penalties to United States authorities. Plus, it includes$236.5 million to California. It also includes a five-year term of probation. Hino will be barred from importing diesel engines to America during this time.

Plus, Hino is recalling some trucks with diesel engines that violate emissions standards. It will cost about $155 million to replace marine and locomotive engines in the U.S. to offset excess air emissions. 

Hino President, Satoshi Ogiso, shared that the company has improved its internal culture, oversight, and compliance practices. 

He shared that this resolution is a significant milestone toward resolving legacy issues that we have worked hard to ensure are no longer a part of Hino’s operations culture.