As far as Motoring Journalists are concerned, we said it then, we will say it again; there is No such thing as SUA or Sudden Unintended Acceleration specifically associated with the 2010 to 2015 Mitsubishi Montero.
But for the benefit of those who refuse to believe or accept the fact, there is now an Independent Third Party study recently completed by a company in the United Kingdom. Given how Mitsubishi Motors Philippines was bullied and beaten into a corner by their accusers who will probably never admit or apologize for their actions in media and in Congress, I am giving part of today’s space for the official statement from Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation. For purposes of accuracy the statement is printed verbatim:
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Third Party Investigator, HORIBA MIRA, Releases Report on Alleged SUA Cases
A third party investigating body tapped by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has released the results of its investigation on the alleged sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) of Mitsubishi Montero Sport 2010-2015 models. HORIBA MIRA Ltd, an automotive engineering company based in the United Kingdom, has found no technical cause that explains SUA incidents involving sudden unintended acceleration together with perceived inability to stop the vehicle.
MMC, on its own, took the initiative to contract HORIBA MIRA to remove doubts on the road worthiness of Mitsubishi Montero Sport 2010-2015 models.
HORIBA MIRA started its investigation in June 2016 and released its formal findings in September 2016, which states:
“The investigation has found only one plausible root cause for sudden unintended acceleration, and inability to stop the Mitsubishi Montero Sport vehicle. Our hypothesis is that these incidents were caused by the driver mistakenly applying the accelerator, believing that they were pressing the brake pedal.
“Other root cause hypotheses have been excluded because they would require simultaneous, but temporary, malfunction of both the engine control and the vehicle braking system without fault conditions being logged by any vehicle systems and DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Code) being recorded. Since these are independent systems, the possibility of simultaneous failure is extremely low.
“There are other potential causes for undemanded acceleration that have not been ruled out by the investigation, but none of these would affect the braking system. If such a failure occurred, the driver would still have the opportunity to control the vehicle using the brakes or by disengaging the transmission.
A suite of EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) screening tests were performed on a vehicle that had previously been involved in a SUA claim. The results showed that the vehicle is extremely resilient at very high test levels of EMI (Electromagnetic Interference). … No adverse behaviour was observed during testing with levels corresponding to EU regulations and ISO standards.”
With the third party investigation now complete, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) once again assures the public that the previous generation Montero Sport model (2010-2015) is neither defective nor unsafe to use.
MMPC President and CEO Mr. Yoshiaki Kato commented: “We are very much pleased on the outcome of the results of HORIBA MIRA investigation. The methodical evaluation conducted by HORIBA MIRA, which found no irregularities in the function and design of vehicle, is an affirmation of our earlier statement that there is nothing wrong with the Montero Sport causing SUA. We hope that the results of the investigation, will finally put an end to the SUA issue on the Montero Sport.’’
MMPC turned over the complete results of HORIBA MIRA evaluation report to DTI for study and reference. The public may also access the full report of HORIBA MIRA here http://mmpc.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/horiba-mira-report-montero-sua-concern-investigation.pdf.
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Last week I wrote about Dr. Benito Vergara who developed a hybrid banana that was “short but sweet” and slightly similar to “saba” and resistant to strong winds.
Sadly I received an email from Mrs. Lina Vergara, his wife informing me that he passed away last Oct. 24, 2015 and now rests at the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani. I also learned from a fellow farmer in Lipa Mr. Ponchit Ponce Enrile that the variety I wrote about is called the Mamasita variety because the Mamasita Food Group sponsored Dr. Vegara’s trip to Thailand where he collected an heirloom variety that was the start of the Mamasita Banana. Sadly good and great men don’t live forever, but in the case of Dr. Vergara, the best thing I can do is to actively share and give away some of the plantings and give my friends and visitors a taste of “Ben’s Turon” – No Sugar added!
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“It feels as if we can never do anything right”
You don’t expect to hear that from a government physician considering doctors are highly educated and have power to save lives. But if you work in government chances are people treat and classify you under one category; “Government Employee.” People forget that even in government, we have section chiefs, bureau directors, Middle Managers, and Career Senior Executives. Sadly the public does not honor those titles except in the private sector and the world of “Inglesero.” To make matters worse, civil servants work within a “political Caste system” where half-wits or under educated and unqualified politicians such as some Mayors and Congressmen thumb their noses at “government employees” because they the politicians were elected into office.
I have to wonder how and why “election into office” makes politicians better and more authoritative than government employees with college degrees, Masters and PHDs as well as extensive training and eligibility? Given the reality of vote buying, patronage politics and political dynasties it is evident that these elected officials can’t brag about integrity or moral ascendancy. The fact that a number of elected officials have been identified as DRUG DEALERs and Protectors proves the point. The Duterte Administration should start taking politics out of government by investing on more training and improvement of the Civil Service. Government employees should not be made to feel or treated as servants of local executives simply because the Local Government Code gave them the power and the purse. “Government employees” should push for a law that will punish politician for harassment and discrimination against a Civil servant! Harassment and intimidation is a daily reality for government employees done to them by the public and politicians. Such a law will certainly make many of us Civil towards Civil Servants.
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