Fuel scandal forces Suzuki CEO resignation

THE ONGOING global fuel emission scandal has claimed another scalp, with Suzuki Motor Corp’s Chief Executive and Chairman, Osamu Suzuki, announcing he will step down as CEO.

Mr Suzuki will retain his position as Chairman, the company said, noting Executive Vice President Osamu Honda will also retire.

Both announcements are expected to be ratified by shareholders at the company’s Annual General Meeting on June 29th.

The fourth-biggest car maker in Japan admitted to using the wrong tests to calculate fuel mileage for its vehicles for six years, with figures created from indoor tests performed on individual parts, and not from vehicle coasting tests.

Japanese investigators raided the company’s headquarters last week as part of an on-going probe into the tests.

The Company has stated it plans to introduce better training for engineers, strengthen its mileage testing systems, and encourage whistle-blowing after it admitted to the breaches.

However, Suzuki did say the real economy figures weren’t too far removed from what had been originally claimed.

Mr Suzuki has served as the CEO since 1978.

The news follows a decision by the South Korean government to pursue criminal charges against Nissan for fuel emission cheating.