Apr 28 (Japan Times) - Subaru Corp. said in a report to the government Friday that mileage and emissions data for 903 new cars were systematically rigged at one of its plants and that the malpractice may have started around 2002.
The revelation is yet another blow to the carmaker, which admitted late last year that unauthorized staff had conducted inspections on new cars, triggering a massive domestic recall.
“I apologize from the bottom of my heart for causing so much concern and trouble,†Subaru President Yasuyuki Yoshinaga told a news conference after the report was submitted.
Yoshinaga vowed to enforce preventive measures. “This is a serious compliance issue. I deeply regret (what happened.)â€
In the report to the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry, Subaru said the misconduct affected all of its nine models, including the Forester sport utility vehicle, as well as Toyota’s 86 sports car, which Subaru manufactures.