Mitsubishi Admits Falsifying Gas-Mileage Figures
04-20-16, 06:32 AM
#1
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Mitsubishi Admits Falsifying Gas-Mileage Figures
This probably will not affect any current Mitsubishi models sold in the U.S., but the company has admitted (on the part of some of its employees) adjusting tire PSIs and possibly some other tricks to falsify gas mileage tests. We'll have to wait and see, but, right now, it doesn't look like anything even near the scope of the VW scandal...and, of course, simply correcting tire pressure is a whole lot simpler than re-doing diesel-emission programs. However, in the past, Mitsubishi has had some pretty serious scandals....not to mention all of the legal problems at its former Diamond Star plant at Normal, IL, since closed up. In one of these scandals (I don't remember exactly which one), some of the company's executives actually went to prison.
Still, IMO this is the last thing that Mitsubishi of America needs. They are already hanging on by a thread in this country, have stopped producing vehicles here, and of what they are still selling, the only thing I still see on a regular basis is the Outlander Sport....which is not surprising, as it is probably the company's best value for what you get for the money, starting at only 19K. (The Mirage starts under 13K, but you get what you pay for).
As of just last year, there were only two (small) Mitsubishi dealerships in the D.C. Virginia suburbs near my house.....now they have closed, leaving just a few left open across the river in the MD suburbs. I still think the company will be completely out of the American market before long...they are just too small in an industry of big boys.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/worl...._alert-economy
TOKYO — Mitsubishi Motors Corp., the Japanese automaker tarnished by a massive recall cover-up 15 years ago, owned up to another scandal Wednesday, saying employees had intentionally falsified fuel mileage data for several vehicle models.
The inaccurate tests by the Tokyo-based automaker involved 157,000 of its own-brand eK wagon and eK Space light passenger cars, and 468,000 Dayz and Dayz Roox vehicles produced for Nissan Motor Co.
The models are all so-called “minicars” with tiny engines whose main attraction is generally great mileage. They were produced from March 2013.
The problem surfaced after Nissan pointed out inconsistencies in data, the company said. Mitsubishi Motors conducted an internal probe and found that tire pressure data was falsified to make mileage appear better than it actually was.
“The wrongdoing was intentional. It is clear the falsification was done to make the mileage look better. But why they would resort to fraud to do this is still unclear,” company president Tetsuro Aikawa told reporters.
He and other company executives bowed in apology.
Aikawa said that although he was unaware the irregularities were happening, “I feel responsible.”
The company said it would investigate whether data were altered for vehicles sold overseas.
Fuel economy was falsely boosted by about 5 percent or 10 percent on the models, which were billed as getting 30.4 kilometers per liter (71.5 miles per gallon), according to the company.
Mitsubishi Motors struggled for years to win back consumer trust after an auto defects scandal in the early 2000s over cover-ups of problems such as failing brakes, faulty clutches and fuel tanks prone to falling off dating back to the 1970s.
Aikawa was asked if the latest impropriety highlighted how the company had not fundamentally fixed itself after the recall scandal, although it had promised repeatedly to come clean.
“I realize that view exists,” he said, his voice shaking slightly. “I see how difficult it can be to have compliance consciousness spread among all our employees.”
Mitsubishi Motors, which also makes the Outlander sport-utility vehicle and the i-MiEV electric car, said it is setting up a panel of outsiders to investigate the latest scandal.
“We will investigate why this happened and prevent a recurrence,” Aikawa said. “We will inform our customers. I feel horrible they were given the wrong numbers.”
Production and sales of all affected models were halted, according to the companies.
Nissan said in a statement that it recently discovered discrepancies in data from Mitsubishi Motors about light vehicles it provided while assessing the current model in preparation for its next-generation vehicle.
“In response to Nissan’s request, Mitsubishi admitted that data had been intentionally manipulated in its fuel economy testing process for certification,” Nissan said.
It said that after consulting Japan’s transport ministry, it told dealers to stop selling the affected vehicles. Nissan said it is considering ways to help the owners of cars already sold.
“Nissan understands and regrets the inconvenience and concern this will cause our valued customers,” it said.
Japan has been hit periodically by such scandals at top-name companies. Among the recent ones are electronics company Toshiba Corp., which acknowledged it had doctored accounting books for years.
Unlike some Western accounting scandals, the ones in Japan did not result in enrichment of individual employees. Instead, workers simply wanted to “save face” for the company.
Mitsubishi Motors shares fell 15 percent in Tokyo trading. Although the news conference came after trading ended, the company had begun to invite media and some Japanese media carried a report during trading hours.
Mitsubishi Motors forecast a 100 billion yen ($917 million) profit for the fiscal year that ended in March 2016, down 15 percent from the previous fiscal year.
Still, IMO this is the last thing that Mitsubishi of America needs. They are already hanging on by a thread in this country, have stopped producing vehicles here, and of what they are still selling, the only thing I still see on a regular basis is the Outlander Sport....which is not surprising, as it is probably the company's best value for what you get for the money, starting at only 19K. (The Mirage starts under 13K, but you get what you pay for).
As of just last year, there were only two (small) Mitsubishi dealerships in the D.C. Virginia suburbs near my house.....now they have closed, leaving just a few left open across the river in the MD suburbs. I still think the company will be completely out of the American market before long...they are just too small in an industry of big boys.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/worl...._alert-economy
TOKYO — Mitsubishi Motors Corp., the Japanese automaker tarnished by a massive recall cover-up 15 years ago, owned up to another scandal Wednesday, saying employees had intentionally falsified fuel mileage data for several vehicle models.
The inaccurate tests by the Tokyo-based automaker involved 157,000 of its own-brand eK wagon and eK Space light passenger cars, and 468,000 Dayz and Dayz Roox vehicles produced for Nissan Motor Co.
The models are all so-called “minicars” with tiny engines whose main attraction is generally great mileage. They were produced from March 2013.
The problem surfaced after Nissan pointed out inconsistencies in data, the company said. Mitsubishi Motors conducted an internal probe and found that tire pressure data was falsified to make mileage appear better than it actually was.
“The wrongdoing was intentional. It is clear the falsification was done to make the mileage look better. But why they would resort to fraud to do this is still unclear,” company president Tetsuro Aikawa told reporters.
He and other company executives bowed in apology.
Aikawa said that although he was unaware the irregularities were happening, “I feel responsible.”
The company said it would investigate whether data were altered for vehicles sold overseas.
Fuel economy was falsely boosted by about 5 percent or 10 percent on the models, which were billed as getting 30.4 kilometers per liter (71.5 miles per gallon), according to the company.
Mitsubishi Motors struggled for years to win back consumer trust after an auto defects scandal in the early 2000s over cover-ups of problems such as failing brakes, faulty clutches and fuel tanks prone to falling off dating back to the 1970s.
Aikawa was asked if the latest impropriety highlighted how the company had not fundamentally fixed itself after the recall scandal, although it had promised repeatedly to come clean.
“I realize that view exists,” he said, his voice shaking slightly. “I see how difficult it can be to have compliance consciousness spread among all our employees.”
Mitsubishi Motors, which also makes the Outlander sport-utility vehicle and the i-MiEV electric car, said it is setting up a panel of outsiders to investigate the latest scandal.
“We will investigate why this happened and prevent a recurrence,” Aikawa said. “We will inform our customers. I feel horrible they were given the wrong numbers.”
Production and sales of all affected models were halted, according to the companies.
Nissan said in a statement that it recently discovered discrepancies in data from Mitsubishi Motors about light vehicles it provided while assessing the current model in preparation for its next-generation vehicle.
“In response to Nissan’s request, Mitsubishi admitted that data had been intentionally manipulated in its fuel economy testing process for certification,” Nissan said.
It said that after consulting Japan’s transport ministry, it told dealers to stop selling the affected vehicles. Nissan said it is considering ways to help the owners of cars already sold.
“Nissan understands and regrets the inconvenience and concern this will cause our valued customers,” it said.
Japan has been hit periodically by such scandals at top-name companies. Among the recent ones are electronics company Toshiba Corp., which acknowledged it had doctored accounting books for years.
Unlike some Western accounting scandals, the ones in Japan did not result in enrichment of individual employees. Instead, workers simply wanted to “save face” for the company.
Mitsubishi Motors shares fell 15 percent in Tokyo trading. Although the news conference came after trading ended, the company had begun to invite media and some Japanese media carried a report during trading hours.
Mitsubishi Motors forecast a 100 billion yen ($917 million) profit for the fiscal year that ended in March 2016, down 15 percent from the previous fiscal year.
Last edited by mmarshall; 04-20-16 at 06:46 AM.
04-20-16, 07:23 AM
#2
Lexus Champion
This is a kei car model sold as the eK by Mitsubishi and sold as the Dayz by Nissan (badge-engineered, I guess, to allow Nissan to sell really small cars). Gotta love these funky JDM car names!
It must really hurt Mitsubishi to have its dirty laundry discovered by a partner.
It must really hurt Mitsubishi to have its dirty laundry discovered by a partner.
04-20-16, 11:00 AM
#3
Lol... i thought it was something more serious, adjusting PSI's?
It is well known fact that in Europe, tests are done with taped up body, slick tires, ice roads and every other trick in the book including inflated tires. This is all considered fine by the government. They only complained when VW used different software mode.
It is well known fact that in Europe, tests are done with taped up body, slick tires, ice roads and every other trick in the book including inflated tires. This is all considered fine by the government. They only complained when VW used different software mode.
04-20-16, 11:41 AM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
04-21-16, 07:05 AM
#5
Lexus Champion
Mitsubishi Motors investigated over false mileage data
Mitsubishi Motors investigated over false mileage data
Local media showed investigators entering the company's plant in Nagoya
Officials are investigating Mitsubishi Motors Corp. after the company said it had found employees manipulated fuel efficiency data of more than 620,000 light vehicles it manufactured.
On Wednesday, the company said employees had intentionally falsified fuel mileage data for several vehicle models.
Local media reports showed investigators from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism entering offices of the company's assembly plant in central Japan's Nagoya on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the company apologized for what it said was intentional falsification of mileage test data that falsely boosted fuel economy by about 5 per cent to 10 per cent.
Trading in Mitsubishi Motors' shares halted before the close on Thursday after the shares fell more than 20 per cent.
The inaccurate tests by the Tokyo-based automaker involved its 157,000 of its own-brand eK wagon and eK Space light passenger cars, and 468,000 Dayz and Dayz Roox vehicles produced for Nissan Motor Co. The so-called "minicars" have tiny engines whose main attraction is generally great mileage. They were produced from March 2013.
Mitsubishi was reporting mileage of up to 30.4 kilometres per litre.
The scandal adds to the list of cases involving automakers inflating fuel mileage or providing faulty emissions data. It surfaced after Nissan pointed out inconsistencies in data, Mitsubishi said. Mitsubishi Motors conducted an internal probe and found that tire pressure data was falsified to make mileage appear better than it actually was.
Mitsubishi Motors was tarnished by a massive recall coverup of safety defects 15 years ago.
Local media showed investigators entering the company's plant in Nagoya
Officials are investigating Mitsubishi Motors Corp. after the company said it had found employees manipulated fuel efficiency data of more than 620,000 light vehicles it manufactured.
On Wednesday, the company said employees had intentionally falsified fuel mileage data for several vehicle models.
Local media reports showed investigators from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism entering offices of the company's assembly plant in central Japan's Nagoya on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the company apologized for what it said was intentional falsification of mileage test data that falsely boosted fuel economy by about 5 per cent to 10 per cent.
Trading in Mitsubishi Motors' shares halted before the close on Thursday after the shares fell more than 20 per cent.
The inaccurate tests by the Tokyo-based automaker involved its 157,000 of its own-brand eK wagon and eK Space light passenger cars, and 468,000 Dayz and Dayz Roox vehicles produced for Nissan Motor Co. The so-called "minicars" have tiny engines whose main attraction is generally great mileage. They were produced from March 2013.
Mitsubishi was reporting mileage of up to 30.4 kilometres per litre.
The scandal adds to the list of cases involving automakers inflating fuel mileage or providing faulty emissions data. It surfaced after Nissan pointed out inconsistencies in data, Mitsubishi said. Mitsubishi Motors conducted an internal probe and found that tire pressure data was falsified to make mileage appear better than it actually was.
Mitsubishi Motors was tarnished by a massive recall coverup of safety defects 15 years ago.
This made it to the radio news this morning. It must be considered a major news event -- equal in importance to Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday -- to make it to the morning's major newscasts.
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