Nissan resumes some production amid scandal, fresh wrongdoing found (updated)
07/11/2017 03:23
* Nissan resuming production at five domestic plants
* 1.2 mln vehicles recalled over use of uncertified
technicians
* Fresh wrongdoing found in training of inspection staff
(Adds new revelations of improper training of inspection staff)
By Naomi Tajitsu
TOKYO, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Nissan Motor Co Ltd 7201.T
resumed on Tuesday most of the domestic car production that had
been suspended in the wake of a scandal over uncertified
technicians signing off on final inspections for decades.
The resumption of production, which follows Japan's
transport ministry approval of changes to inspection procedures,
came as the automaker said a third-party investigation had also
found new evidence that inspection staff had not been properly
trained.
The investigation found Nissan had shared test questions
with examinees and failed to teach trainees for the correct
number of hours, the company said in e-mailed statement.
It was not immediately apparent if the new revelations of
wrongdoing would have further regulatory implications for
Nissan.
Nissan said it was retraining and retesting inspectors and
that it had corrected inconsistencies between plant operating
manuals and plant activities in documents provided to Japan's
transport ministry.
The carmaker's discovery that uncertified technicians had
signed off on final inspections led to the suspension of
domestic production of all passenger cars it makes for its home
market on Oct. 19. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N1MU2ZS
It also prompted the recall of 1.2 million vehicles for
re-inspection, including all passenger cars it produced for sale
in Japan over the past three years.
Japan's transport ministry requires certified inspectors to
sign off on vehicle checks for cars sold in Japan, a step that
is not required for vehicles exported overseas.
Nissan has said Japan sales of new passenger vehicles
probably fell by half in October from a year ago due to the
scandal - just one of several that has engulfed corporate Japan
in recent years. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N1N62MN
The automaker said its plants in Fukuoka, Kanagawa and
Tochigi would restart production for the domestic market on
Tuesday, along with plants operated by affiliate Nissan Shatai
7222.T in Fukuoka and Kanagawa.
A plant operated by affiliate Kyoto Auto Works is still
awaiting ministry approval, Nissan said.
Nissan's shares were flat in afternoon trade.
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Nissan to suspend domestic production of cars for Japan market
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(Reporting by Naomi Tajitsu; Additional reporting by Sam
Nussey; Editing by David Goodman and Edwina Gibbs)
((naomi.tajitsu@thomsonreuters.com; +81364411078; Reuters
Messaging: naomi.tajitsu.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
Keywords: NISSAN RECALL/