Nissan used uncertified inspectors even after misconduct found -sources
18/10/2017 01:40
TOKYO, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Nissan Motor Co 7201.T had
conducted uncertified vehicle checks as recently as last week
even after revealing the widespread misconduct at its domestic
factories, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said
on Wednesday.
Japan's second-largest automaker has recalled all 1.2
million new cars it sold in the domestic market over the past
three years after discovering final vehicle checks were not
performed by certified technicians.
The sources, who asked not to be named because they were not
authorised to speak to media, said an internal investigation had
found the latest misconduct at affiliate Nissan Shatai Co's
7222.T Shonan factory, where uncertified technicians had been
involved in inspections until Oct. 11.
The Sankei daily reported the misconduct affected about
3,800 vehicles, but that Nissan would not issue a recall because
they had cleared safety standards.
Spokespeople at Nissan could not immediately be reached.
At a news conference on Oct. 2, Chief Executive Hiroto
Saikawa said that only certified technicians had conducted
checks since Sept. 20. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N1MH0TP
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has also
inspected Nissan's factories, where it found names of certified
technicians used on documents to sign off on final vehicle
checks conducted by non-certified technicians.
The ministry has asked Nissan to report measures to prevent
a recurrence of the issue by the end of this month.
Shares of Nissan were down a fraction of a percent, while
the broader Tokyo market was slightly higher. Nissan Shatai was
down 1.2 percent.
(Reporting by Maki Shiraki; Writing by Chang-Ran Kim; Editing
by Stephen Coates)
((ran.kim@thomsonreuters.com; +81-3-6441-1804; Reuters
Messaging: ran.kim.reuters.com@reuters.net))
Keywords: NISSAN RECALL/