After Mitsubishi, Japanese Transport Ministry Officials Raid Suzuki HQ

Suzuki Motor Corp.’s headquarters have been raided by the Japanese transport ministry officials on June 3 following an ongoing probe on using unapproved methods in its cars to deceive fuel economy tests. Investigators have conducted the operation in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture to search for documents related to the tests.   

The Japanese four wheel drive vehicle manufacturer has acknowledged detecting discrepancies in its fuel emission tests during last month. The ninth largest automaker in the world has denied committing cheating. However, the test deceiving issue is not related to its products sold outside Japan, claims the automaker, reports BBC.

The transport ministry investigators have been searching for the documents confirming auto giant’s earlier claims informs an official who is in charge of automotive safety. In a similar move, investigators have searched office of Mitsubishi Motors in April following its admission for cheating in fuel efficiency tests for decades, according to a report published in The Japan Times.

Later on, Mitsubishi has been acquired by Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. followed by resignation of its president during last month. Suzuki acknowledged improper tests involve 14 models marketed with own brand while 12 models under other brands. Lack of resources driven by 2008 global financial crisis has led the Japan’s no. 4 automaker by sales to comply with regulatory testing standards. Moreover, ever growing pressure for new models and engines in 2000s has also been represented as reason for applying such deceiving methods, reports The Financial Express.

Though Suzuki admits cheating in fuel efficiency tests, but denies deceiving drivers. The automaker has committed for full cooperation with the transport ministry. It has also denied predicting for possible penalties centering the self acknowledged fraud.   

Increased focus on developing new models and engines has restrained Suzuki from allocating sufficient manpower for testing. Meanwhile, it has also failed to arrange sufficient budget for updating infrastructure and testing technology complying with required standards. More than 2 million cars sold only in Japan have been affected with the cheating.

Suzuki acknowledges for initiating using the unapproved testing methods since 2010. All Japanese automakers have been asked by the transport ministry to probe compliance with government testing methods following Mitsubishi scandal.

In separate scenario, Volkswagen AG of Germany has been trying to withstand the huge blow originated from emission cheating scandal. Takata, the auto parts maker has also been facing lawsuits and regulatory probes over alleged flaws in airbags linked to 13 deaths and lots of injury incidences.