Fuel mileage scandal
[icon] This section requires expansion. (April 2016)
In early 2016, Mitsubishi partner Nissan found discrepancies between Mistubishi information and actual fuel consumption while working in new micro cars for both companies, the eK Wagon, eK Space, Nissan Dayz and Nissan Dayz Roox. Mitsubishi manufactures micro cars for Nissan, which no longer makes that class of vehicle itself. Mitsubishi admitted that they had been giving wrong information on fuel consumption from 2002 onwards, using inaccurate test methods.[49] Later, the company said it used fuel economy testing methods that did not comply with Japanese regulations for 25 years, much longer than previously known.[50] Mitsubishi management said they did not know about the issue and that the wrong information came from the micro car development department. They ordered an investigation led by investigators not affiliated with the company.[51] The resultant scandal culminated in Nissan acquiring a controlling interest in MMC in May 2016.[52] Nissan agreed to invest 237.4 billion Yen ($2.2 billion US) in exchange for receiving a 34% ownership stake in Mitsubishi Motors. Due to dilution of existing shares, other Mitsubishi group companies (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Corp., and Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ) will see their combined holdings in Mitsubishi Motors fall to about 20% from 34% currently.[53]
Mitsubishi Motors North America stated that vehicles sold from 2013 in the United States featured accurate fuel economy information and were thereby not affected by the scandal.[54]
In May 2016, Mitsubishi Motors announced Tetsuro Aikawa to resign as the president of the company in effect on June. Both Mitsubishi Motors and Aikawa denied any top management involvement in the mileage scandal. The company said much of the mileage-testing work was assigned to a subsidiary and there was a lack of scrutiny of such work.[55]