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Toyota returns $18m in JobKeeper payments
An unexpected surge in sales in 2020 has inspired car manufacturer Toyota to write an $18 million check to the government, returning the amount it received in JobKeeper subsidies and touting the move as “the right thing to do”.
Toyota returns $18m in JobKeeper payments
An unexpected surge in sales in 2020 has inspired car manufacturer Toyota to write an $18 million check to the government, returning the amount it received in JobKeeper subsidies and touting the move as “the right thing to do”.
Mid last year, the car manufacturer qualified for JobKeeper payments when its revenue fell by over 50 per cent as the pandemic led to a sharp decline in car sales.
However, a sudden spike in fourth quarter sales saw 66,000 vehicles sold, up 29 per cent year-on-year.
Toyota president and CEO Matthew Callachor said the company approached the Australian Taxation Office in December to arrange the JobKeeper repayment, amounting to more than $18 million.
“Like most businesses, Toyota faced an extremely uncertain future when the COVID-19 health crisis developed into an economic crisis that even led to dealerships closing for extended periods in Victoria and Tasmania,” Mr Callachor said.
“We claimed JobKeeper payments to help support the job security of almost 1,400 Toyota employees around Australia – the people who are our first priority,” he said.
However, with Australians swapping holidays for cars and nearly one in four opting to buy a Toyota, the Japanese company pulled itself out of a tailspin to post strong sales.
“In the end, we were very fortunate to weather the storm better than most, so our management and board decided that returning JobKeeper payments was the right thing to do as a responsible corporate citizen.
“We are extremely grateful that so many Australians continue to put their trust in Toyota to deliver quality vehicles and services, especially in tough times.”
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