Published

Japan Bans Sale of 8 More Mitsubishi Motors Models

Japan’s transport ministry confirms it has ordered Mitsubishi Motors Corp. to halt sales in Japan of eight more models—three of them hot-selling SUVs—with overstated fuel economy ratings.
#economics #regulations

Share

Japan’s transport ministry confirms it has ordered Mitsubishi Motors Corp. to halt sales in Japan of eight more models—three of them hot-selling SUVs—with overstated fuel economy ratings. News about the impending ban was reported yesterday by The Nikkei.

The ministry says its investigation showed the models were rated as much as 9% above their true fuel economy levels. Earlier this year MMC admitted that, for the past 25 years, it has based its ratings on estimates rather than actual tests.

The new batch of mislabeled vehicles includes MMC’s Mirage small car and Outlander, Pajero and RVR SUVs. They have been barred from sale until the company can relabel its marketing materials.

MMC says it will pay about 76,500 current owners of the affected vehicles as much as 100,000 yen ($972) in compensation to cover higher fuel and tax costs. The company made a similar gesture for owners of four minivehicle models discovered in April to carry inflated economy ratings.

MMC expects to report a net loss of $1.4 billion in the fiscal year that began April 1. Sales are likely to plunge by nearly 50%, resulting in a 55 billion-yen ($534 million) drop in operating income.

RELATED CONTENT

  • On Lincoln-Shinola, Euro EV Sales, Engineered Carbon, and more

    On a Lincoln-Shinola concept, Euro EV sales, engineered carbon for fuel cells, a thermal sensor for ADAS, battery analytics, and measuring vehicle performance in use with big data

  • On Headlights, Tesla's Autopilot, VW's Electric Activities and More

    Seeing better when driving at night, understanding the limits of “Autopilot,” Volkswagen’s electric activities, and more.

  • Inside Ford

    On this edition of “Autoline After Hours” Joann Muller, Detroit bureau chief for Forbes, provides insights into what she’s learned about Ford, insights that are amplified on the show by our other panelists, Stephanie Brinley, principal analyst at IHS Markit who specializes in the auto industry, and Todd Lassa, Detroit Bureau Chief for Automobile.

Gardner Business Media - Strategic Business Solutions