(This document is an English translation of the original Japanese document. If there are any discrepancies between this document and the original Japanese document, the original Japanese document prevails.)
Further to the instruction from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) regarding investigation of the actual emissions and fuel efficiency tests, Suzuki reported the result of investigation to the ministry today.
As the outcome of our internal investigation, acts of injustice, such as manipulation of fuel efficiency data were not found. Meanwhile, some discrepancies were found in the automobile emission and fuel efficiency testing process between the regulation by MLIT and the actual method carried out by Suzuki and therefore Suzuki herewith reports on the issue as follows. We would like to express our deep apologies to all our customers and stakeholders on this issue.
Suzuki reviewed the measuring process of driving resistance of all 16 models currently available for sale. It was found that instead of actually measured data of the car through the coasting test, the submitted driving resistance data at the time of application for certificate was a build-up of actually measured data of individual components such as tires, brakes and transmission from rolling resistance tests and air resistance tests in the wind tunnel and upon verification of adequateness compared with actually measured data of the car through the coasting test.
We consider the background lies in the fact that Sagara proving ground owned by us locates on top on a hill close to sea, where it is significantly affected by weather conditions such as influence of wind and carrying out tests were difficult.
The recent improvements in fuel efficiency technology accompanied by reduced rolling resistance and vehicle weight have greater tendency for cars to be influenced by wind as well as results spread in wider variations. In case of adopting tires with less rolling resistance, for an example, it is difficult to perceive the effect without variation in data, and have to increase the number of tests
In the course of the investigation, we measured actual data through the coasting test in addition to the data already obtained by the time of application for certificate through the coasting test. As the result of verification of all certified fuel efficiency value with these actual data through the coasting test, all certified values remained within the range of measurement deviation.
Therefore, we consider it not necessary to amend the driving resistance value applied, nor the fuel efficiency value measured using the driving resistance value.
As for performance regarding emissions, it complies with the safety standards and we consider it does not have any problems.
Suzuki assures users to continue use of its products at ease.
The above issues do not apply to products sold under Suzuki badge outside Japan.
Suzuki assumes that the fact would not have any impact on forecasts for the consolidated operating results at the moment. If any matters occur in the future that require modifications to the consolidated earnings forecasts, such matter shall be promptly disclosed
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