Mitsubishi Mileage Scandal Makes Its Way to the U.S.
A day after its head office was raided by Japanese Transport Ministry officials, the U.S. is going to put Mitsubishi’s mileage claims under scrutiny.
The scandal began when Mitsubishi admitted it overstated fuel economy numbers on its Japanese market eK mini wagons, but Reuters is now claiming the false data extends to U.S. market vehicles.
Reports in Japanese media single out the diminutive electric i-MiEV, which has sold in the U.S. since 2011. Overseas RVR and Outlander models might also be saddled with misleading mileage numbers.
The scandal has caused Mitsubishi’s stock value to drop 40 percent since midweek, prompting Japan’s Transport Minister Keiichi Ishii to tell reporters, “This is a serious problem that could lead to the loss of trust in our country’s auto industry.”
Now that U.S.-bound vehicles have become suspect, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has asked Mitsubishi to turn over data on domestic models. Reuters claimed the NHTSA wouldn’t comment on what specific vehicles it wanted information on, or whether it planned to put other automakers under the microscope.
Mitsubishi might be forced to buy back affected vehicles in the Japanese market, while repaying the government the green car subsidies it offered on select models.
[Image: Mitsubishi Motors]
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Good news, though...Mitsubishi can afford to buy back the 12 i-MiEVs they've sold this year.
Mileage scandals ARE THE MOST RIDICULOUS NONSENSE I'VE EVER SEEN. First of all, I'm getting less than 12mpg on 2 different vehicles AND I DON'T CARE BECAUSE I SIGNED UP FOR IT! Anyone who buys a car is going to buy it knowing that it's all in how they drive - what they drive - which will determine their mileage. Little turbo 4 cylinders would get FAR LESS MPG if I were driving simply because I'd be applying max boost 100% of the time. If you let these light-foot hypermilers test a car, of course they are gonna get max mpg. LET ME TEST THOSE CARS. I guarantee that whatever the rated MPG is I absolutely won't even come close to it.