Defeat Device Suspicions Lead to Mitsubishi Probe

Mitsubishi is under investigation by German prosecutors for the suspected use of illegal defeat devices on diesel engines. As usual, the probe was kicked off by a series of raids — practically a cliche at this point.

Germany has certainly ran with the concept after U.S. regulators faulted Volkswagen for using illegal defeat devices to cheat diesel emission testing procedures in 2015. The reality is that regulators are cracking down the world over since the scandal, with Deutschland taking extra precautions to ensure other domestic brands don’t shame themselves like VW did.

Investigators are looking at 1.6-liter and 2.2-liter 4-cylinder Euro 5 and Euro 6 diesel engines and asking individuals who own Mitsubishi models (built after 2014) with those units to contact the police.

However, it’s not clear just how involved the automaker actually was with the alleged crime. According to Reuters, Mitsubishi Europe has verified it’s under investigation but noted that it’s not responsible for the development or production of the manufacturer’s vehicles. While Volkswagen did furnish Mitsubishi with diesel engines for the European market within the last decade, the motors under suspicion appear to be the 4N1 units developed in collaboration with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

On Tuesday, German authorities raided 10 locations in that country — three of which were said to be owned by Continental. Frankfurt police also said one staffer from an “international carmaker” was being probed for fraud, adding that a dealership and two parts suppliers are also being investigated. Specific details could not be offered due to the ongoing state of the examination.

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