German raids over suspected Mitsubishi diesel fraud

(EurActiv, 22 Jan 2020) German prosecutors have raided 10 business premises as part of a probe into suspected diesel emissions cheating involving Mitsubishi cars, the latest fallout from the so-called “dieselgate” scandal.

Frankfurt prosecutors said they had opened a fraud investigation against senior employees at “an international car group”, two international car suppliers and a car dealership.

The probe focuses on Mitsubishi diesel vehicles with 1.6- and 2.2-litre engines that were given Germany’s highest Euro 5 and Euro 6 ratings depending on their adherence to emissions standards.

“There is a suspicion that the engines are equipped with a so-called shutdown device” that makes them appear less polluting in lab tests than they actually are on the road, the prosecutors’ statement said.

A spokesperson for Mitsubishi Motors in Japan on Wednesday (22 January) confirmed the raid on its German distributors as well as on its European research and development facilities — also based in the country.

“Mitsubishi Motors will of course collaborate and contribute to this investigation,” the spokesperson told AFP, declining to offer further information.

Separately, Japanese auto parts maker Denso also admitted that German investigators visited their facilities.

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EurActiv, 22 Jan 2020: German raids over suspected Mitsubishi diesel fraud