Mitsubishi Motors says false mileage tests done since 1991

Mitsubishi Motors President Tetsuro Aikawa listens to a reporter's question during a press conference in Tokyo, Tuesday, April 26, 2016. Mitsubishi Motors, the Japanese automaker that acknowledged last week that it had intentionally lied about fuel economy data for some of its models, said an internal investigation found such tampering dated back to 1991. Aikawa told reporters Tuesday the probe was ongoing, suggesting that more irregularities might be found. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi) Mitsubishi Motors President Tetsuro Aikawa listens to a reporter's question during a press conference in Tokyo, Tuesday, April 26, 2016. Mitsubishi Motors, the Japanese automaker that acknowledged last week that it had intentionally lied about fuel economy data for some of its models, said an internal investigation found such tampering dated back to 1991. Aikawa told reporters Tuesday the probe was ongoing, suggesting that more irregularities might be found. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

By Associated Press April 26, 2016 3 min read

TOKYO (AP) – Mitsubishi Motors Corp., the Japanese automaker that acknowledged last week that it had intentionally lied about fuel economy data for some of its models, said an internal investigation found such tampering dated back to 1991.

President Tetsuro Aikawa told reporters Tuesday the probe was ongoing, suggesting that more irregularities might be found.

“We don’t know the whole picture and we are in the process of trying to determine that,” he said at a news conference at the transport ministry. “I feel a great responsibility.”

Aikawa said so much was unknown that it’s uncertain what action the company will take. He said he didn’t know why employees resorted to such tactics to make mileage look better.

Tokyo-based Mitsubishi Motors had repeatedly promised to come clean after a massive scandal 15 years ago involving a systematic cover-up of auto defects.