After tests and investigation, Mitsubishi declares Monteros safe

The Montero Sport is safe and completely dependent on driver action and reaction, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) said on Tuesday.

According to the company, it has "conducted extensive testing and investigation" of all the claims.

"MMPC would like to assure the public that the Montero Sport is neither defective nor unsafe to use," the company said in a statement through its website.

Following claims of unintended acceleration, MMPC and its principal Mitsubishi Motors Corp. of Japan (MMC) "has not found any defects or cause directly linked to the vehicles involved."

There have already been several alleged incidents of sudden unintended acceleration involving the Mitsubishi Montero in the country.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri J. Colmenares last week asked the House of Representatives to investigate on the said incidents.

In House Resolution 2531, Colmenares called on the Committee on Trade and Industry to look into the incidents due to the alleged failure of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to act on the complaints filed by affected motorists.

Colmenares also noted that MMPC in May admitted that it had recorded 97 cases of unintended acceleration involving the Montero, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.

"MMC technical experts went to MMPC to conduct series of tests on the units with this complaint when it was first observed in 2011," the company said.

MMPC also sent a Motero Sport unit said to be with sudden unintended acceleration to MMC's proving ground in Okazaki, Japan in the same year to be inspected and tested.

"In all these tests, MMC found no defect or malfunction that would result in the alleged sudden unintended acceleration," Mitsubishi said.

"MMC and MMPC have concluded that the performance and behavior of the Montero Sport is completely dependent on driver action and reaction, and that the vehicle will only move upon driver intervention," it added.

According to the company, owners of the Montero Sport with the same concerns may contact their Customer Care Center at (+632) 250-8888 from Monday to Friday.

They may also visit any service center nationwide for a free check-up.

"During the free check-up, qualified personnel will also provide tips on the best and safest way of operating the vehicle," Mitsubishi said. -Jon Viktor Cabuenas/NB, GMA News