Toyota claims Kobe Steel aluminum sheet meets standards

Japan's Toyota Motor said Thursday that the aluminum sheet purchased from Kobe Steel meets the strength and durability requirements of its rolled metal products.

Toyota began a review of aluminum and components supplied by Kobe Steel after the ministry said in September that data for its components were inaccurate.

Toyota said the strength and durability of the aluminum plates used for the parts meet the safety and durability requirements for vehicles. The automaker has used data from the past three years as the basis for its survey.

The automaker did not say whether it tested weldability and formability properties that do not directly affect passenger safety. Tests and reviews were carried out on the basis of Toyota, said company spokeswoman Monica Saito.