Fuso has to recall another 424,600 vehicles

Scandal-tainted Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corp. said Tuesday it will recall 424,600 large vehicles to repair minor defects overlooked during last year's probe into past cases of vehicle problems — even though one of the defects was reported in the late 1980s.

"I regret and apologize for the timing of some decisions (in issuing recalls) and for the fact that the results have not always been prompt," outgoing Mitsubishi Fuso Chief Executive Officer Wilfried Porth told a news conference.

Although the delay in issuing recalls this time does not constitute a legal violation, the transport ministry said it was regrettable, noting it occurred under the new management of DaimlerChrysler AG, which took over Mitsubishi Fuso after it was spun off from Mitsubishi Motors Corp. in 2003.