WSJ: China Province Probes Toyota; Uncertified Parts Sales Suspected - Xinhua

[Omaha Steve]

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100407-704523.html?mod=WSJ_World_MIDDLEHeadlinesAsia

BEIJING (Dow Jones)--The Zhejiang Provincial Administration for Industry & Commerce said it is investigating Toyota Motor Corp. (TM) on suspicion the company is selling uncertified auto parts in China, the official Xinhua News Agency reported Wednesday.

A March 18 inspection of two Toyota dealership storehouses run by the Japanese auto maker's joint venture with China FAW Group Co. in the city of Yiwu uncovered more than 1,700 Toyota-brand parts that lacked the required certification and inspection reports, the report said. The parts were directly supplied by Toyota, according to the report.

Beijing-based Toyota spokesman Niu Yu said he couldn't comment on the report and referred calls to Toyota's joint venture with FAW. The joint venture couldn't immediately be reached for comment.


-By Patricia Jiayi Ho, Dow Jones Newswires; (8610) 8400 7702; [e-mail]