Mitsubishi Motors have admitted to falsifying fuel use figures for four vehicles which are currently sold in the Japanese market. The company has confirmed that the “fuel consumption testing data submitted to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism” saw vehicles tested “improperly to present better fuel consumption rates than the actual rates.”
A statement released by Mitsubishi Motors has also confirmed that the testing method used was different from the one required by Japanese law.
The four Mitsubishi vehicles affected are all models affected by the falsified fuel consumption figures are all Kei cars, including the eK Wagon and eK Space, while the other two are built by Mitsubishi but are sold as a Nissan – the Dayz and Dayz Roox. The four vehicles have been on sale since June 2013, and Mitsubishi claimed it has sold 157,000 eK models and Nissan Motors has sold 468,000 Dayz vehicles.
“Since Mitsubishi Motors developed the applicable cars and was responsible for obtaining the relevant certifications, Mitsubishi Motors conducted fuel consumption testing. In the process of the development for the next generation of mini-car products, Nissan Motors examined the fuel consumption rates of the applicable cars for Nissan Motors reference and found deviations in the figures,” the statement read. “In the course of our internal investigation upon this request, Mitsubishi Motors learned of the improper conduct that Mitsubishi Motors used the running resistance value for testing which provided more advantageous fuel consumption rates than the actual rates.”
Mitsubishi will issue an apology to owners of the affected vehicles, while the production of all the affected models has also been put on hold. Mitsubishi will also enter into discussions with Nissan regarding compensation, and the company has confirmed that it will “conduct an investigation into products manufactured for overseas markets.”
Mitsubishi shares fell sharply following the announcement, with 15 per cent – or US$1.2 billion – wiped from its market value.
1 comment
LOL, all car makers should be checked so we can see who the biggest liar is.
Also when it the seppuku taking place? 😛