TOKYO, (Mar. 30, 2005) — The chief executive of Japanese truckmaker Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corp. apologized for being late in reporting a new defect suspected in several vehicle fires but denied any intended cover-up, as was the case five years ago when the company was found to be hiding truck defects that lead to two deaths.

Mitsubishi Fuso — which is 85 percent owned by DaimlerChrysler AG — has been trying to break from the previous scandal. At that time — when the truckmaker was part of automaker Mitsubishi Motors — wheel-offs were blamed for two fatal accidents. Several company executives, including the company’s president, were charged by Japanese authorities for covering up the defects.

Associated Press reports that the new defects are estimated to affect about 8,000 trucks — none of which were exported. The defect can cause fires or cause a nut to drop off, according to Mitsubishi Fuso.

— from Associated Press