Subaru Admits to Tampering with Emissions Data

Japanese automaker Subaru had admitted to tampering with emissions data, adding to the global list of companies fudging the numbers.

Some 900 Subaru cars that were manufactured between 2012 and 2017 are caught up in the latest emissions scandal. An internal investigation concluded that vehicle inspectors altered the data on the cars and have released a full statement outlining their findings.

Subaru have said these manipulations occurred at their Gunma Manufacturing Division’s Main Plant and Yajima Plant, stating;

Based on the review of the available data, from at least December 2012 and November 2017 fuel economy and emissions data had been manipulated as follows:

• No. of vehicles subject to sampling of fuel economy and emissions: 6,939
• No. of vehicles for which data were found in measurement equipment, etc.: 6,530
• No. of vehicles for which data were inappropriately altered: 903

This seems to have been going on for a while.

Perhaps the most damning assessment of their investigation is that Subaru believe the manipulation of data began back in 2002, but could only find evidence of such from 2012. The lengthy statement concludes by saying that while Subaru’s internal quality control standards are stricter than that of Japan’s Safety Standards, there is no action to take.

Instead, Subaru have issued a lengthy apology to those who may have lost their trust with the company. More importantly, to the customers who purchased their products;

"“Subaru sincerely regrets the facts uncovered by the Investigation and has openly disclosed the details. In addition to taking measures to prevent recurrence of the Nonconforming Final Inspections, Subaru is determined to implement measures to prevent recurrence of this problem, to reform outdated aspects of its corporate culture such as authoritarianism, reliance on precedents, and formalism, and to become a genuine “upright company,” each employee of which thinking, “what is the right thing?” and implementing in the right way. Subaru’s management and employees will work collectively to restore lost trust and ensure that such circumstances do not recur.We would like to reiterate our deepest apologies for the significant trouble and inconvenience caused to our customers, partners, and all other stakeholders.”"

Vague Details

No word on where the 900 vehicles are or to which market they were sold to. In the US, Subaru have recently just sold their 9 millionth vehicle, a Crosstrek.

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Subaru joins the list of embattled automakers who have been caught cheating on emission figures. The most notable of culprits remains Volkswagen, but recently, BMW, Daimler and Mitsubishi have also been accused of cheating on emissions data.