Nissan blames latest improper tests on 'low awareness' of rules

Nissan has blamed an 'extremely low awareness' of the seriousness of inspection standards and rules for the improper measuring of exhaust emissions and fuel economy in vehicle models made in Japan.

Nissan has blamed an 'extremely low awareness' of the seriousness of inspection standards and rules for the improper measuring of exhaust emissions and fuel economy in vehicle models made in Japan.

This comes after Nissan has admitted that sample testing for emissions and fuel economy in final vehicle inspections at most of its factories in Japan did not meet domestic standards as well as last year when the company confirmed that uncertified inspectors had signed off on final checks for cars sold in Japan over several decades.

'As a company - executives, managers to plant supervisors - Nissan had extremely low awareness of the gravity of violating (final vehicle inspection) standards and rules,' Nissan said in a statement.

Nissan said there were improper inspections during sample testing of 1,205 vehicles, more than the 1,171 units the company had initially reported in July.

Other tests for horn volume, external vehicle noise and the aim of headlights were also conducted improperly, Nissan said.

The testing was for vehicles destined for the Japanese market and did not affect units exported overseas, the automaker has said.

Nissan said its sample tests would now be overseen by supervisors and managers. It also planned to boost the number of inspectors and revamp the computer software used to measure vehicle emissions.