Baleno among 16 Suzuki cars under scrutiny for fuel efficiency discrepancies in Japan

The export model of the Made-in-India Baleno hatchback, along with 15 other Suzuki cars, has come under the scanner for fuel efficiency claims after Suzuki Motor Corporation said it used improper fuel economy and emission tests for its vehicles sold in Japan.

In an official statement released yesterday, the Japanese carmaker said that it had created kilometres per litre (kpl) figures by combining the results of individual component testing rather than from coasting testing, which is the standard industry practice.

Suzuki’s revelation on Wednesday came as a result of the checks ordered by the Japanese transport ministry.

According to the company, the cause of this issue relates to the fact that its testing location, the Sagara proving ground, is located at the top of a hill and close to the sea, where results can be affected by changing weather conditions and atmospheric pressure.

Suzuki also claims that post re-testing, it did not see a signification variation from the earlier figures with the values remaining within the range of measurement deviation.

No impact on Maruti cars in India

Meanwhile, Maruti Suzuki India has assured that the issue of using improper fuel economy and emission tests faced by parent Suzuki Motor Corp in Japan will not have any implications in India.

According to a company spokesperson quoted by the Press Trust of India: “The system of conducting vehicle mileage tests in India is distinct from the one in Japan. In India, all vehicles are tested for road load and emissions by government approved agencies like ARAI, ICAT and VRDE.”

As part of the emission test, these agencies report fuel efficiency of vehicles as well. Maruti Suzuki voluntarily declares fuel efficiency of its vehicles based on these reports, the spokesperson added.

Even Suzuki Motor Corp, in its official statement, has clarified that “issues do not apply to products sold under Suzuki badge outside Japan.”

The 16 models affected in Japan comprise the Alto, Alto Lapin, Wagon R, Hustler, Spacia, Every, Carry, Jimny, Solio, Ignis, Baleno, S-Cross, Swift, Escudo 2.4, Escudo and Jimny Sierra.

Suzuki’s revelations have come soon after Mitsubishi admitted last month that it manipulated fuel economy data for some of its models, overstating their efficiency.

Also read: Made-in-India Baleno to go on sale in the UK from June