Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) has seen sales of new minicar vehicles plunge by 44.9% year-on-year during the month of April, following its admission to falsifying fuel economy data for mini-vehicles sold in Japan.
Reports in Japan say that domestic minicar sales for Mitsubishi Motors came to 1,477 vehicles last month. Nissan sales of minicars were also hit (down 51%) as MMC makes minicars for Nissan that were also impacted by the scandal and withdrawals from sale. Nissan's minicar sales fell 51.2% to 5,574 units, according to Nikkei.
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Nikkei noted that sales of Mitsubishi's eK Wagon and eK Space, and Nissan's Dayz and Dayz Roox were suspended April 20, the same day the data manipulation by MMC came to light. The four models were the biggest volume sellers domestically for both companies, the Nikkei report noted.
Mitsubishi Motors manufactures all four models at its Mizushima plant and has halted production of minivehicles there, with 1,300 employees temporarily furloughed.
The move is also impacting suppliers in the area, the report added.
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