(RTTNews.com) - Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors Corp.(MMTOF.PK, 7211) has admitted manipulating fuel economy data for about625,000 vehicles sold in Japan.
"In connection with the certification process for the mini-carsmanufactured by MMC, we found that with respect to the fuel consumptiontesting data submitted to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,Transport and Tourism or MLIT, MMC conducted testing improperly topresent better fuel consumption rates than the actual rates; and thatthe testing method was also different from the one required by Japaneselaw. We express deep apologies to all of our customers and stakeholdersfor this issue," Mitsubishi Motors said.
The applicable cars are four mini-car models, two of which arethe "eK Wagon" and "eK Space" which have been manufactured by MitsubishiMotors; and the other two are the "Dayz" and "Dayz Roox" which havebeen manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors and supplied to Nissan MotorsCorporation
Nissan Motors requested Mitsubishi Motors to review the runningresistance value set by Mitsubishi Motors during tests by MitsubishiMotors. In the course of internal investigation upon this request,Mitsubishi Motors said it learned of the improper conduct thatMitsubishi Motors used the running resistance value for testing whichprovided more advantageous fuel consumption rates than the actual rates.
Mitsubishi Motors has decided to stop production and sales ofthe applicable cars. Nissan Motors also has stopped sales of theapplicable cars, and Mitsubishi Motors and Nissan Motors will discusscompensation regarding this issue.
During its internal investigation, Mitsubishi Motors has foundthat the testing method which was different from the one required byJapanese law has been applied to other models manufactured by MMC forthe Japanese domestic market.
Mitsubishi Motors noted that it will also conduct an investigation into products manufactured for overseas markets.
Mitsubishi Motors plans to set up a committee consisting ofonly external experts. It will publish the results of its investigationas soon as it is complete.