Mitsubishi cars on Saipan defect-free

Mitsubishi cars that were shipped and are now being sold in the Northern Marianas automobile market are not among those reported to have defects that are now being recalled by the Japanese car manufacturer.

Triple J Motors, which distributes Mitsubishi vehicles in the CNMI, announced yesterday that it has received official letter from the Japan-based automobile manufacturer emphasizing that all cars shipped to Guam and the CNMI are free from defects.

Triple J Motors general manager Jay Jones said two official notices, one dated August 21 and the other one August 24, were sent to the company by the Mitsubishi Motors Corporate office in Japan to clarify increasing global controversies on the recall.

“They clearly stated that none of the Mitsubishi vehicles shipped to Guam or Saipan need to be recalled. Mitsubishi Motors sent the memo to reassure us that our vehicles are not among any that may be recalled,” Mr. Jones stressed.

Mr. Jones explained the controversy is more of a domestic problem in Japan, adding that Mitsubishi car owners in the Northern Marianas should not worry about the road-worthiness of their vehicles.

Triple J Motors is also optimistic the controversy will not affect the strong sale of Mitsubishi vehicles in the Northern Marianas, especially with the clarification from the car manufacturer that all units shipped and are now being distributed on the islands are free from defects.

Mitsubishi Motors last week announced the recall of 88,000 vehicles, in addition to the recall of 530,000 units in July, after admitting to the Japanese government that it hid consumer complaints about vehicle defects for more than 20 years.

Newspaper reports claimed the defects caused three accidents in Japan but no deaths. The recall scandal, which will reportedly cost Mitsubishi Motors about $69 million, is expected to create a bigger stir in Japan than in the United States.

In the mainland United States, the recall could affect up to 44,000 cars that include the Montero sport-utility vehicle, Galant sedans and Mirage compact cars.

This, even as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration assured that there was no cover-up of defects in the U.S., since it has different procedure in the reporting of complaints.