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Mitsubishi admits to economy data cheat

Mitsubishi admits to economy data cheat
Mitsubishi confirms it too has 'bent the rules' (but not on Irish cars).

What's the news?

We've had months of conjecture, falsehoods and angry muttering by a mistrustful public, but now - sadly - we can confirm another major car manufacturer has definitely been cheating on its official tests. This time, it's Japan's sixth-biggest outfit Mitsubishi that is left shame-faced.

Mitsubishi Motors Company (MMC) has admitted to manipulating test data to overstate the fuel efficiency of 625,000 cars, although even more alarmingly for both MMC and compatriot firm Nissan, 468,000 of these were sold under the Nissan brand.

Mitsubishi is listing the vehicles as four of its micro-cars, two of which were manufactured for Nissan, and the discrepancies came to light when Nissan tested the vehicles supplied by MMC and ended up with a different set of data to that quoted by Mitsubishi. A further investigation by MMC revealed 'improper conduct' and tests contrary to Japanese law.

Production of the Mitsubishi-branded eK Wagon and eK Space, and the Nissan Dayz and Dayz Roox models affected has already been stopped by both MMC and Nissan, with Mitsubishi ready to discuss compensation terms with Nissan. MMC's shares plunged 15 per cent on the Tokyo stock exchange in the wake of the revelations, the biggest fall in nearly 12 years.

MMC says the incorrect testing method was also used for other cars manufactured for the Japanese market, so the 625,000 figure could rise, while it will also look at products built for export markets as well to check if this problem goes any further than the four affected models.

Anything else?

In a full statement, MMC said: "In connection with the certification process for the mini-cars manufactured by MMC, we found that with respect to the fuel consumption testing data submitted to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), MMC conducted testing improperly to present better fuel consumption rates than the actual rates; and that the testing method was also different from the one required by Japanese law. We express deep apologies to all of our customers and stakeholders for this issue."

"The applicable cars are four mini-car models, two of which are the eK Wagon and eK Space, which have been manufactured by MMC; and the other two are the Dayz and Dayz Roox, which have been manufactured by MMC and supplied to Nissan Motors Corporation since June 2013. Up until the end of March 2016, MMC has sold 157,000 units of the eK Wagon and eK Space and supplied 468,000 units of the Dayz and Dayz Roox to Nissan."

"Since MMC developed the applicable cars and was responsible for obtaining the relevant certifications, MMC conducted fuel consumption testing. In the process of the development for the next generation of mini-car products, Nissan examined the fuel consumption rates of the applicable cars for NM's reference and found deviations in the figures. Nissan requested MMC to review the running [rolling] resistance value set by MMC during tests by MMC. In the course of our internal investigation upon this request, MMC learned of the improper conduct that MMC used the running resistance value for testing which provided more advantageous fuel consumption rates than the actual rates. MMC will sincerely respond to our customers who own and use the applicable cars."

"We have decided to stop production and sales of the applicable cars. Nissan also has stopped sales of the applicable cars, and MMC and Nissan will discuss compensation regarding this issue."

"During our internal investigation, we have found that the testing method which was different from the one required by Japanese law has been applied to other models manufactured by MMC for the Japanese domestic market."

"Taking into account the seriousness of these issues, we will also conduct an investigation into products manufactured for overseas markets."

"In order to conduct an investigation into these issues objectively and thoroughly, we plan to set up a committee consisting of only external experts. We will publish the results of our investigation as soon as it is complete."

It should be noted that, at this stage, this does not affect any Mitsubishi or Nissan sold in Ireland or the rest of Europe.

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Published on April 20, 2016