Japan Investigates Mitsubishi for Fuel Test Cheating

VOA News Learning English
21 April 2016

Listen to Japan Investigates Mitsubishi for Fuel Test Cheating in Windows Audio format - 2.4MB - 1:24

It is not just Volkswagen trying to manipulate testing of its cars. This time it is a Japanese company, Mitsubishi.

The Japanese automaker received a visit Thursday from the country’s chief cabinet secretary. The government wants to investigate Mitsubishi’s fuel efficiency claims.

On Wednesday, Mitsubishi president Tetsuro Aikawa admitted that his employees used higher tire pressure during fuel economy tests for small car models.

The more air in a tire, the better it will perform on a fuel economy test. The test recorded 10 percent better fuel economy than consumers were seeing on the road.

The cheating affects over 600,000 cars produced for Mitsubishi and Nissan. The models are the eK and Dayz Roox passenger cars.

The Japanese government promised to deal with Mitsubishi in a “strict manner.”

Mitsubishi’s stock price dropped significantly on Wednesday and Thursday after the news of an investigation came out.

I’m Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on reporting by VOANews.com. Hai Do was the editor.

What do you think about the cheating by Mitsubishi? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

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Words in This Story

strict – adj. demanding that people obey rules or behave in a certain way

efficiency – n. the ability to do something or produce something without wasting materials, time, or energy : the quality or degree of being efficient

manipulate – v. to deal with or control (someone or something) in a clever and usually unfair or selfish way