Defeat device The scandal-hit auto giant said it was going to “refit” the estimated 11 million vehicles worldwide that featured the software created to deceive USA diesel emission tests.
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The company admitted today that within its various brands the number includes 508,276 Volkswagens, 393,450 Audis, 76,773 Seats, 131,569 Skodas and 79,838 commercial vehicles.
U.S. regulators discovered earlier this month that many Volkswagen diesel cars were fitted with software that meant emission data came out lower when cars were being tested than when they were out on the open road.
Additionally, a self-serve process for customers to check if their vehicle is affected will also be set up.
All use the EA189 diesel engine, and VW insists that current EU6-compliant cars on sale across its brands are not affected.
The rogue engine is VW’s type EA 189, which is in more than 11 million diesel cars with 1.6 and 2.0-litre capacities. It will present technical details to appropriate authorities in October. The company has said throughout the ordeal that the cars are safe to drive, and it appears executives are confident that its cars can be refitted to pass the EPA-mandated emissions tests. It’s found that these vehicles emit harmful pollutants 40 times higher than the United States environment standards.
“We are very sorry for the situation that has arisen and will do everything in our power to implement necessary upgrades as efficiently as possible”, Terje Male, managing director of Harald A. Moller AS, was quoted as saying.
It added that it was “committed to supporting its customers and its retailers through the coming weeks”.
‘We will only be able to make progress in steps and there will be setbacks’.
Wolfram Herrle, chief prosecutor in the region where Audi is based told German media that a preliminary investigation had been launched into the company’s conduct. The Group brands affected will also set up national websites to update customers on developments, it said.
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The value of used Volkswagen diesel cars sold in Britain has slipped 0.2% in September, lagging growth in the wider market, according to auto valuation tracking guide Glass’s.
