TOKYO -- Mitsubishi Motors Corp. is investigating whether vehicles exported to the U.S. are among those for which it falsified fuel economy tests to win better efficiency ratings.
Japanese media have reported that some Mitsubishi nameplates shipped overseas also may have manipulated test data, although the cheating scandal so far is isolated to the pint-sized minicars that are sold in Japan only.
But the scandal has larger implications for Mitsubishi. The misstep could serve as a red flag to other carmakers as Mitsubishi looks for global partnerships to flesh out its meager lineup.