Japan’s transport ministry may raid Mitsubishi Motors’ offices a fourth time if the evidence collected during its latest inspection won’t prove sufficient.
According to Autonews, another search could also be in the works if the findings somehow point to even bigger problems than just the automaker’s decades-long fuel economy scandal.
“You can’t deny the company has a culture that’s prone to malpractice,” said Yuki Ebihara, on official within the regulator’s recall division. “Compared with other makers, we have to give them a closer look.”
Despite the possibility of another raid, Nissan still expects to close its $2.2 billion stake deal with Mitsubishi Motors before the end of 2016 and according to a spokesman for the company, remain convinced that the transaction is worth it.
Issues still remain, though, including the fact that three days before the latest raid, the ministry concluded that 8 of 9 Mitsubishi models fell short of the company’s advertised fuel economy figures and that recalculated figures provided by Mitsubishi themselves were still inaccurate compared to tests done by the regulator.
Once Nissan finishes purchasing their stake in Mitsubishi Motors, the former will agree to hold shares for a period of 10 years. A filing by the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group also revealed that both Nissan and Mitsubishi will have the first right of refusal to purchase shares if either of the two companies decides to sell.
