Japanese Recalls Upstage U.S. Launch Of New Mitsubishi 2005 Work Truck Models

摘要

Steamy allegations of top manage-ment's deliberate efforts to cover up years of field-service data, an ensuing government investigation and a planned recall of 450,000 trucks in Japan are dealing a heavy blow to a truck manufacturer's rock-solid image around the world. The scandal also threatens success in North America, where demand for trucks is picking up. On June 14, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corp., Tokyo, announced it would recall 450,000 trucks and buses. The notice came soon after the firm advertised a front hub-assembly recall on 220,000 trucks in March and another clutch-housing recall on 168,002 units in May. A related hub recall campaign filed with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in August 2003 has affected only 1, 913 trucks in the U.S.