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Employee warned Mitsubishi execs about mileage cheating in 2005

A damning report from the committee brought in to investigate Mitsubishi's alleged fuel economy fixing scandal has revealed a new employee stepped forward and implored the company to play it straight on its mileage data... Eleven years ago. The employee, identified in the report as F, pushed for honesty during a company workshop in February 2005, The Asahi Shimbun reports. The then-new worker told 20 company officials, including senior members of the performance testing department, that the way Mitsubishi measured fuel economy was different from the way government's method. Instead of acting on F's protests, officials said they had no memory of them, the report claims. The four-person committee, made up of lawyers and industry experts, isn't buying the excuse. "It is difficult to accept their explanations that they have no recollections because a new employee pointing out such a problem must have had a (strong) impact," the report read. But F's comments weren't the only internal sign that Mitsubishi allegedly ignored. In a 2011 questionnaire, multiple employees submitted responses claiming that the company had been falsifying data. But according to the committee's report, Mitsubishi's development department issued a report denying there was even a problem, which the company's execs accepted without question. According to The Asahi Shimbun, Mitsubishi CEO Osamu Masuko revealed that an internal investigation – which also denied F's remarks – acknowledged that the company hadn't followed government rules regarding fuel economy measurements since 1991. "We lacked unity needed to detect problems within the company and to solve them," Masuko-san said, backing up the committee report's claim that the company was divided. "From now on, we need to decide how to change our way of thinking." Related Video: News Source: The Asahi Shimbun via Motor TrendImage Credit: Toru Hanai / Reuters Government/Legal Green Mitsubishi Fuel Efficiency scandal

What $40k worth of lights and chrome does to a JDM truck

Japan's dekotora truck culture allows big rig drivers to express themselves by decking out their vehicles with a plethora of blinking lights and shining chrome. While we occasionally catch glimpses of this automotive lifestyle in the US, this short documentary called Dekotora, Another Roadside Attraction takes viewers inside the dekotora truck scene with someone who actually drives one everyday. Takuya Sosogi carries fresh vegetables between markets and claims he has covered the over 2 million kilometers (1.2 million miles) in his dekotora. He also has spent around 5 million yen ($46,200 at current rates) to make his Mitsubishi Fuso light up the night. At this point the truck has become among the most important parts of his life. Sosogi believes that taking good care of his rig is akin to looking after himself. Despite the blinking lights and polished metal, Sosogi's truck is almost subdued by dekotora standards. Some of the rigs feature lighting rigs that rise high into the sky and sport crazy body modifications. Watch the entire documentary above for a look into this fascinating Japanese automotive subculture. Related Video:

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport shows its new nose

You know, I always thought the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport was kind of attractive. Really. But I'm not sure I can say the same about this refreshed, 2016 model. The big change is up front, where the re-schnozzed Sport now has a weird mix of colors and trims going on. There's chunky chrome trim with black in the middle of the face. In some colors, it almost looks like the car's missing a panel. Elsewhere, the 2016 Outlander Sport's enhancements are mostly positive. There's a new steering wheel, 6.1-inch infotainment display, new color choices, and some fresh 18-inch wheels. That's about it for updates, though. Things are the same as they ever were under the hood, with either a 2.0- or 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine powering the Sport, offering up 148 and 168 horsepower, respectively. So it's better equipped, but I wish it still looked as good as the pre-facelift model. Nevertheless, the Outlander Sport does well for Mitsubishi, and hopefully potential buyers won't be too put off by that unfortunate nose. UPDATED FOR 2016 - 2016 Outlander Sport adds bold, sleek exterior design elements with Mitsubishi's "Dynamic Shield" front design concept - Interior enhancements add stylish accents to further Outlander Sport's value CYPRESS, Calif. Nov. 18, 2015 – Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) today unveiled the updated 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport featuring a newly redesigned, bold exterior front fascia/grille. The brand's best-selling CUV is now equipped with Mitsubishi's "Dynamic Shield" front design concept adding a sleek, audacious element to a vehicle that already makes a statement of its own. "The Outlander Sport is a brand leader for Mitsubishi Motors, and we are excited to unveil this eye-catching 2016 model-year," said MMNA executive vice president, Don Swearingen. "The Outlander Sport has always been a fun vehicle that delivers on its promise of reliability and value, and the 2016 model year continues to do so with a great new family look that unifies the Mitsubishi CUV lineup." In addition to the new exterior design, the 2016 Outlander Sport is equipped with new power folding side mirrors with LED turn indicators, wheel lip moldings, auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink® and a new 18-inch alloy wheel design. Also new to the vehicle this year are three new exterior colors: Cool Silver, Diamond White Pearl and Quartz Brown.