Nissan Motor Co Ltd today resumed most of the domestic production of cars that was earlier suspended in the wake of a scandal over uncertified technicians signing off on final inspections for decades. The production resumption follows Japan's transport ministry approval of changes to inspection procedures. It is also being said that the automaker has appointed a third-party investigation to find new evidence that inspection staff had not been properly trained.
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In an e-mail statement, Nissan said that the investigation found that the company shared test questions with examinees and failed to teach trainees for the correct number of hours. Further Nissan also said that it was retraining and retesting inspectors and it had also corrected inconsistencies between plant operating manuals and plant activities in documents provided to Japan's transport ministry.
Though, it was not apparent immediately whether the new revelations of wrongdoing would have further regulatory implications for Nissan. All the technicians had signed off on final inspections that led to the suspension of domestic production of all passenger cars it makes for its home market on Oct. 19. While it also made a recall of about 1.2 million vehicles for re-inspection of the vehicles, including all passenger cars it produced for sale in Japan over the past three years. The transport ministry of Japan requires certified inspectors to sign off on vehicle checks for cars sold in Japan, which is a step not required for vehicles exported overseas.
Nissan said a plant operated by affiliate Kyoto Auto Works is still awaiting ministry approval and moreover, its shares were flat in afternoon trade.