Claims to Kobe Steel about inaccurate data on metal strength

Kobe Steel announced that it has received a group statement from US customers alongside Toyota. They are demanding compensation for the use of materials with lower parameters in the production of cars than it was indicated in the manufacturer's declaration, Kyodo reported on Wednesday.

Rolled steel maker Kobe, which supplies raw materials to companies including Toyota, has previously admitted that it falsified inspection data regarding the strength of some of its aluminum and copper raw materials.

Defective materials were delivered to more than 600 companies, including leading car manufacturers and high-speed operators. They were also used in the aerospace and aerospace industries and in the production of military equipment.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court in California and, in addition to Toyota and Kobe Steel, concerns four companies belonging to a group controlled by this raw metal producer. In response to the lawsuit, Kobe Steel said it was too early to determine if the case would affect future business operations.

The claimant, which bought Toyota vehicles manufactured using materials whose strength parameters were falsified, stated that it would not make a purchase decision if information that the strength of the materials did not meet standards was disclosed. As they stated, claiming compensation.

While Kobe Steel said it had not received any suggestions for a complaint prior to filing the lawsuit, and the amount of compensation from dissatisfied customers has not yet been determined.