Report on Fuel Economy and Emission Testing Confirms No Improper Alteration or Falsification of Test Data by Mazda

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9, 2018 /CNW/ - Following a request made by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) issued to Japanese automakers on July 9, 2018 after the discovery of fraudulent testing practices at other companies, Mazda Motor Corporation submitted a report to MLIT on the results of an investigation into its sample testing of fuel economy and emissions during final vehicle inspections.

The investigation covered JC08¹ and WLTC² testing modes and the key findings of the report are:

1. No improper alteration or falsification of test data in either mode.
2. Test data containing speed trace errors* was found in 72 cases out of 1,472 vehicles tested under the JC08 mode.  The company has identified two reasons for these errors. Firstly, the system was not set up to automatically invalidate results when a speed trace error occurred. Secondly, test procedures left the determination of speed trace errors up to each individual inspector.
3. All test data has been re-examined and the results show there was no effect on specification fuel economy and emission figures. No such cases were found in WLTC mode testing.

This incident concerns only vehicles sold in Japan, and export vehicles are not applicable for this incident. Export vehicles are tested in accordance with the regulations of the market to which they are exported.

Mazda has decided to take the following steps to prevent a reoccurrence:

• The system will be updated to automatically treat test results as invalid in the event of a speed trace error.
• Mazda has increased the number of employees who check inspection data, including speed trace errors.

Mazda accepts that errors were made on a small number of tests and the situation was identified quickly and steps have been put in place to avoid it happening in the future.

Items investigated and results

Mazda Canada Inc. is responsible for the sales and marketing, customer service and parts support of Mazda vehicles in Canada. Headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Mazda Canada has a nationwide network of 164 dealerships. For additional information visit Mazda Canada's media website at www.media.mazda.ca.

SOURCE Mazda Canada Inc.