Toyota scandals batter suppliers while group posts record profit

NAGOYA-- Though Toyota Motor logged a record profit for the most recent quarter, the suppliers that form the group's backbone are groaning under cost increases and production cuts forced by a series of certification scandals.

"The production stoppages have placed a financial burden on suppliers and dealers," Toyota accounting chief Masahiro Yamamoto said at Thursday's earnings conference, acknowledging that while the certification scandals had only a slight impact on group earnings, they are hurting parts makers.