The German luxury carmaker appointed Matthias Mueller after the company’s market value plummeted by half and longtime CEO Martin Winterkorn resigned in disgrace (See: Porche’s Mueller to replace Winterkorn at Volkswagen).
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“But they also show that we must also insist here on transparency and a quick clearing-up, though I assume those affected will ensure that themselves”, she said.
The Environmental Protection said this week that VW programmed about 10,000 cars with larger diesel engines to emit fewer pollutants during tests than in real-world driving.
In September, the company admitted it had installed software created to defeat tests for nitrogen oxide emissions for four-cylinder diesel engines on 11 million cars worldwide, including nearly 500,000 in the U.S. It has already set aside 6.7 billion euros ($7.4 billion) to cover the costs of recalling those vehicles – and analysts expect the emissions scandal to cost the company much more than that. Volkswagen has denied the charge, but faces the prospect of more fines and lost sales.
At least one petrol (US: gasoline) engine is concerned, the company said, while up to now only its diesel engines had been concerned. Volkswagen did not identify any models by name.
After irregularities were found in the development of diesel engines, Volkswagen AG (VKW.L) announced that unexplained inconsistencies were found during the course of internal investigations when determining Type Approval CO2 (carbon-dioxide) emissions levels.
It did not identify which vehicles were affected, but said the flaw in no way compromised the safety of any of the vehicles.
Volkswagen said it deeply regretted the new discovery, adding it would immediately begin discussions with relevant authorities to discuss the consequences.
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Mueller did not address the latest USA allegations in his statement Tuesday, as shares in Volkswagen fell 1.5 percent on the Frankfurt stock exchange.
