Japanese officials announced Thursday that Suzuki Motor Corp., Mazda Motor Corp., and Yamaha Motor Co. have admitted to using falsified emissions data in vehicle inspections, according to multiple reports.
The three admissions came in the midst of an internal investigation ordered by the government, The Associated Press reported.
{mosads}Reuters, meanwhile, reported that Suzuki most often inspected vehicles with manipulated emissions data, adding that the company confirmed that almost half of its 12,819 new car inspections were improper dating back to 2012.
None of the automakers reportedly found problems in their vehicles’ correct emissions and fuel economy performance that warranted a recall.
“Mishandlings found in so many vehicles were a serious problem, that we take very seriously,” Suzuki President Toshihiro Suzuki said, according to Reuters, apologizing for the trouble caused to customers and business partners.
Suzuki added that the inspections were mishandled at factories where discipline was generally lacking.
The AP reported that no irregularities were reported among 17 other companies investigated, while results are still pending for the Japanese affiliates of three foreign car companies: Audi, Volkswagen and Volvo Cars.
The Japanese transport ministry reportedly ordered 23 Japanese auto firms to examine their inspection procedures in July after it was discovered that Nissan Co. and Subaru Corp. were also falsifying emissions data.
That order was part of a larger inspections scandal that began when Kobe Steel was charged with manipulating data for a wide range of products.