Nissan blames staff shortage for inappropriate tests

Nissan Motor stated on Friday that an investigation into inappropriate tests found that its automobile plants in Japan had a shortage of inspectors, and outlined prepared improvements including increasing the amount of trained personnel.

Last month, the automaker recalled 1.2 million vehicles, consisting of all passenger cars it produced in Japan during the past 3 years, after finding that for decades, uncertified inspectors were signing off on vehicle checks required by Japan’s Transport Ministry for vehicles sold in the nation.

“Headcount decrease rates assigned to each plant applied evenly throughout the whole plant, and special factor to consider was not provided to secure final inspectors,” it stated in a report.

“For that reason, the plants had a scarcity or no surplus in the amount of final inspectors.”