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Mitsubishi admits fuel test rigging in Japan

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Mitsubishi has admitted supplying misleading information for fuel consumption tests, but insists that the data only affects models on sale in the Japanese market.

The admission to Japanese authorities comes in the wake of the Volkswagen emissions test scandal and has an immediate effect on shares in the Japanese manufacturer, which slumped by more than 15%.

According to Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) fuel consumption testing data submitted to Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism was “improperly presented in order to improve fuel consumption rates.”

The statement from MMC added that the testing method used was different from that required by Japanese law.

Production and sales of the four cars affected have been suspended. The four are all sold only in Japan and comprise the eK Wagon, eK Space and the Nissan Dayz and Roox, both built by Mitsubishi for Nissan. All are examples of the small-engined ‘Kei’ cars built specifically for the Japanese home market.

MMC says it has acted quickly to apologise to its customers and stakeholders and will put in place a committee of external experts to fully investigate the issue. The company pursues an open and transparent policy and the results of the investigation will be made public as soon as it is complete.

The managing director of Mitsubishi’s UK division, Lance Bradley, believes the company has acted quickly and decisively. “We understand that such issues are of great concern to consumers – I would like to reassure everyone that there is no evidence to suggest that UK or European models are affected,” he adds.

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Andrew Charman
Andrew Charman
Andrew is a road test editor for The Car Expert. He is a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers, and has been testing and writing about new cars for more than 20 years. Today he is well known to senior personnel at the major car manufacturers and attends many new model launches each year.