Subaru Corp. will be placed under strict supervision following recent reports that the company improperly implemented pre-shipment inspections. Minister Keiichi Ishii, minister for Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, summoned Subaru to notify the ministry's decision on Wednesday.
At the meeting with Subaru President Tomomi Nakamura, the minister noted the possibility of implementing administrative actions against the company unless they are convinced of their response to the scandal. Minister Ishii described the scandal as "trust-breaking" and "extremely regrettable". The minister required Subaru to fully implement measures so that similar irregularities are avoided and they are also required to report a progress report quarterly.
According to reports, this is the first time that the Ministry has issued such an order since parts of the ministerial ordinance were changed in October. Under the changes, the ministry now has the power to direct automakers to take measures to prevent the companies from doing incorrect quality measures.
The changes in the ordinance rooted from growing public concerns over the quality of vehicles marketed in the country. Recently, Subaru, Nissan Motor Co., Suzuki Motor Corp, and Mazda Motor Corp failed to follow the proper inspection procedures before marketing their products. Other industries in the country including steel and the Chemical industry are also scandalized with accusations of data rigging.
The ministry's advisory included the continuous conduct of reviews on their methods of inspecting completed vehicles and they are required to report their implementation of preventive measures every quarter. According to the ministry, the companies will pay monetary penalties if the government finds it necessary. Subaru will be banned from marketing their vehicles in Japan if further misconduct is proven.
According to Nakamura, Subaru has caused great concern. He added that they are deeply regretting it and they will make utmost efforts to ensure that the same mistakes will never happen again. He added that they'd like to think about what they can do and they will carry it out.
The scandal started October last year after Subaru admitted that, for more than 30 years, unauthorized staff conducted vehicle inspections at two of its domestic plants. It was later followed by another revelation that the company systematically rigged mileage and emissions data in one of its manufacturing plants. According to reports, the company's malpractice started in 2002. They are also guilty of another brake check violations in September. According to Subaru, they recalled a total of 530,000 cars in Japan because of the malpractice.
