VW emissions scandal updates

Volkswagen (VW) has stated that after an internal investigation, around five million of VW branded cars worldwide are affected by the emissions issues.

This includes variants of the Mk 6 Golf, the Mk 7 Passat and the first-generation Tiguan, all fitted with the black-marked family of EA 189 diesel engines.

It also was at pains to point out that vehicles fitted with Euro 6-compliant engines are not affected. This list includes the current seventh-generation Golf, Passat and Touran models.

Meanwhile, German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt has said that around 2.8 million vehicles are affected by the emission manipulation issue in Germany, and if Volkswagen’s commercial vehicles are affected, this figure could rise, as the 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre TDI engines are used extensively throughout the company’s light commercial range. The Volkswagen Group itself also confirmed that 2009-2013 Skoda Fabia, Octavia, Roomster, and Superb models are also affected.

Volkswagen has also stated that it will inform all markets in which cars are affected locally in due course and that it is working intensively on remedial measures in close coordination with the certification authorities.

A spokesperson said: “The vehicles are and remain technically safe and roadworthy. There is absolutely no excuse for the manipulations which have deeply shocked Volkswagen. The company will leave no stone unturned in getting to the bottom of this, will call those responsible to account, and take the necessary actions.”

Dr Herbert Diess, the new CEO for Volkswagen Passenger Cars, explained: “We are working at full speed on a technical solution that we will present to partners, to our customers and to the public as swiftly as possible. Our aim is to inform our customers as quickly as possible, so that their vehicles comply fully with regulations. I assure you that Volkswagen will do everything humanly possible to win back the trust of our customers, the dealerships and the public.”

In other developments, German media has claimed that VW was warned eight years ago about the use of emissions manipulation tactics. It has been reported that software supplier Bosch warned Volkswagen not to use the software during regular operation. Switzerland has also banned the sales of Volkswagen Group cars allegedly fitted with the ‘defeat device’ Euro 5 emissions-cheating software, which include models from the Audi, SEAT and Skoda brands.

The British government is also to start its own inquiry into the testing of car emissions, and will run new laboratory tests to compare them with on-the-road emissions. The Vehicle Certification Agency, a division off the Department of Transport will work with manufacturers to re-run the tests and has called upon the European Commission to launch a Europe-wide investigation.

Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, said: “The government takes the unacceptable actions of VW extremely seriously. My priority is to protect the public as we go through the process of investigating what went wrong and what we can do to stop it happening again in the future. We have called on the EU to conduct a Europe-wide investigation into whether there is evidence that cars here have been fitted with defeat devices. In the meantime we are taking robust action.”

In the US, Volkswagen has launched a special website which contains new statements from senior company officers and a frequently-asked questions page. The Environmental Protection Agency, the US regulatory body which broke the VW emission tests results, has also said it will introduce tests which include 'driving cycles and conditions encountered in normal use’.

Elsewhere, in the wake of the emissions scandal, Bentley, BMW, Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, PSA Peugeot Citroën, and Renault have denied cheating emissions tests.

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