The software Volkswagen used to cheat on official diesel engine emissions tests affects 11 million cars globally dating to 2009, the carmaker and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced.
The EPA, which unveiled its findings on Sept. 18, reported it found wide variations in emissions from VW cars that use a “defeat device” to fool emissions tests. The EPA also announced it’s ordering VW to issue a recall for about 482,000 VW and Audi cars that have 4-cylinder turbo diesel engines.
The cars being recalled are equipped with software that detects when an official emissions test begins — and when the cars aren’t being tested, they “emit up to 40 times more pollution” than allowed under U.S. standards, according to the EPA and the California Air Resources Board.
The German company, meanwhile, said it’s “working at full speed” to investigate the problematic software. Volkswagen also announced it’s investing $7.25 billion to correct the problem.
“I personally am deeply sorry that we have broken the trust of our customers and the public,” Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn said.
The initial EPA report listed five models made from 2009-2015 that have what its inspectors (and the Clean Air Act) call a “defeat device.” Three more models were added to the list to account for variations in styles. The list now includes both the Jetta sedan and sportwagen.
Here’s a list of vehicles, that contain “a sophisticated software device that circumvents EPA emissions standards for certain air pollutants,” according to the EPA:
Jetta (model year 2009–2015), Jetta Sportwagen (2009-2014), Beetle (2013–2015), Beetle Convertible (2013-2015), Audi A3 (2010–2015), Golf (2010–2015), Golf Sportwagen (2015), Passat (2012-2015)
Volkswagen’s market value has tumbled, losing more than $15 million. Automotive industry experts estimate the carmaker could also be penalized an equal amount in fines.
The carmaker has reiterated its goal to regain customers’s trust, with a statement reading; “it does not tolerate any kind of violation of laws whatsoever”
Volkswagen’s ‘clean diesel’ TDI engines earned a $1,300 federal tax credit for customers who purchased a Jetta sedan or wagon in 2009, the first year affected by the recall.”
Editor’s notes:
The Weekly Driver has often praised Volkswagen vehicles since this site began in 2004. The 2014 Volkswagen Jetta TDI was selected as our Car of the Year based on its value, gas mileage, comfort, overall driving and environmental consideration. Here’s a link to the review: 2014 Volkswagen Jetta TDI.
The Weekly Driver also selected the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta TDI as the country’s “Best Car For Under $25,000.” Here’s the link to the article: Best 2014 Car For $25,000.
Article Last Updated: November 19, 2015.
Well, due to this scandal, Volkswagen group almost lost 1/4 of its business in just 30-40 days. Even though they asked apologies from their customers, and they offered lots of gifts, etc. They are ready to take and test with free of cost from January 2016. It will take lots of time to recover from this storm. Volkswagen needs to put lots lots of efforts to become leader in auto industry again. Until then, Toyota will play that leader.