Mitsubishi Motor Corporation (MMC) has issued an apology for submission of incorrect fuel data to Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).
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However, shares in Mitsubishi fell by 15 per cent on Wednesday when the news of the falsified data emerged, and Mitsubishi shares have not been traded Thursday as no buyers could be found. All of these models are minicars, which had great mileage as its main feature.
According to USA Today, the multinational automotive manufacturer said that it conducted testing “improperly” to present better gas mileage data than the actual readings, and the testing method was not the one required by Japanese law.
It said the affected models were its own-brand eK Wagon and eK Space cars, and Dayz and Dayz Roox vehicles produced for Nissan Motor.
The cheating follows a cover-up scandal that brought Mitsubishi, Japan’s sixth-biggest carmaker, close to collapse about a decade ago, when it admitted to systematically concealing defects over decades.
Production and sales for all affected models has been halted.
The analyst added that Mitsubishi has tied the brand to technology that is environmentally friendly with its plug-in fuel sipping hybrids and electric vehicles. All are mini-cars, none of which are available outside of Asia; 625,000 units were sold or supplied through March 2016.
Mitsubishi Motors said the fuel economy levels of models made for the local market were up to a tenth lower than stated in its test results. “It is clear the falsification was done to make the mileage look better”, said Aikawa.
The calculation involved the way Mitsubishi calculated the affect of wind and tire resistance on the auto during simulations.
More updates and details on the Mitsubishi cheating scandal are expected soon.
Tetsuro Aikawa, Mitsubishi company president, said to reporters in an interview, “The wrongdoing was intentional”.
Mitsubishi is conducting an internal investigation into the matter to determine which employees were directly responsible for the deceptive practices.
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“In response to Nissan’s request, Mitsubishi admitted that data had been intentionally manipulated in its fuel economy testing process for certification”, Nissan said.
