Mitsubishi vows to comply with recommendations issued by DTI on Montero Sport

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) has committed to comply with the recommendations issued by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with regards to the alleged sudden and unintended acceleration incidents involving its Montero model.

In a statement, MMPC said on Thursday that it welcomed these recommendations, which included the hiring of independent third party experts to perform all relevant tests and investigation on the Montero Sport.

The MMPC, DTI investigation panel, and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will lay out within 30 days the terms and conditions for the conduct of investigation by such third-party expert.

MMPC also welcomed the DTI recommendation to conduct the free inspection and mandatory preventive maintenance of all DTI-identified SUA (sudden and unintended acceleration) complainants’ vehicles and issue quality reassurance certification.

There was also a recommendation for MMPC to continue its free check-up campaign for all Montero Sport automatic owners and to provide the same certificate of quality reassurance for the purpose of providing peace of mind to its owners.

MMPC will remind its current and new customers the proper operation of an automatic vehicle and other safety measures in starting and driving a vehicle.

“We assure all Montero Sport owners that we remain committed to a transparent resolution of this alleged SUA issue and to provide safe and quality vehicles,” the company said.

“MMPC deeply regrets and sympathizes with its customers that have been affected by the alleged SUA issues. MMPC will continue to work with its customers to assure their safety,” the company added.

Foreign laboratories

Earlier on Thursday, Trade Undersecretary Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba said in a briefing the results of the new investigation will determine whether or not a total product recall shall be ordered by the DTI.

Since the needed facilities aren’t readily available locally, the DTI said it is looking to possibly tap the services of foreign laboratories in Thailand, Malaysia or Germany.

The cost shall be shouldered by the government.

The DTI also filed formal administrative charges against MMPC for the sale of defective, hazardous and dangerous products. This was based on the sworn statements of the 24 complainants that came forward to the DTI, and as provided under the Consumer Protection Act.

MMPC earlier stressed that technical findings from the previous tests conducted by experts from here and from Japan have shown that incidents of SUA, which were reported as early as 2011, were not possible due to safety check systems in the vehicle.

READ: Mitsubishi insists on safety of Montero

It also maintained that a product recall was out of the question since this is being done only for the Montero model that was found to have defects and the company has since stood pat on its claims that the said vehicle did not have any design, mechanical or electronic defects. –DG/JE/TVJ