Half of Japan’s larger automakers have admitted to falsifying emissions tests.
Three months ago, Subaru admitted to tampering with fuel economy data on Japanese models. Nissan also admitted to cheating on emissions last month, using unqualified inspectors to carry out final checks. Now, Mazda and Suzuki have also copped to conducting improper emissions tests. Nikkei Asian Review originally learned about the issue Wednesday, and Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport confirmed the report Thursday. Yamaha also found instances of improper testing in its sample tests conducted since 2016.
Improper testing has gone on since 2012
In the company’s investigation, Suzuki found improper testing procedures were carried out on 6,401 cars out of 12,819 tested since 2012. The company tested these cars under different driving conditions than those the Japanese government prescribed. Mazda found 72 cars out of 1,875 tested since 2014 had improper results.
While Suzuki found many more discrepancies than Mazda or Yamaha, it is not considering a recall right now. “It is a significant fact that such a large number of our products were improperly tested,” said Suzuki President Toshihiro Suzuki. “We failed to educate our staff in an in-depth and extensive manner.”
These findings don’t have any bearing on models Mazda sells in the U.S. However, these scandals to impact Japanese automakers’ reputations in their domestic market and abroad. Suzuki hasn’t sold vehicles in the U.S. since its withdrawal from the market in 2012. Toyota, Honda and Daihatsu – three of Japan’s largest automakers – haven’t submitted findings of improper testing.
Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for more updates!
