The investigation of Audi adds another layer of uncertainty, however.
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Lawyers representing more than 100,000 consumers filed for compensation in the Federal Court this morning alleging the so-called “defeat device” potentially devalued their cars and increased running costs. Audi CEO Rupert Stadler told a German newspaper that the techies had repeatedly insisted that the three-liter V6 did not contain test-defeating code, but apparently changed their story during a board meeting.
Audi has reportedly suspended two engineers implicated in the ongoing emissions scandal. Meanwhile, VW denied the allegation early November saying that there were no software in the said cars to manipulate emissions results.
Audi confirmed the veracity of the comments made by Mr. Stadler in Donaukurier.
The engine was designed and put together by Audi at its factory in Neckarsulm, Germany, and has been widely used in VW, Audi and Porsche cars since 2009.
Cars to be recalled in South Korea are Euro 5 engine ones with 2.0-litre and 1.6-litre diesel “EA189” engines, mainly sold in South Korea between 2008 and 2015, the ministry said in a statement.
The company has 45 business days to submit its plan to begin the process of recalling and repairing the illegal emissions software, said CARB, part of the California Environmental Protection Agency. “These suspensions are related to irregularities with the USA version of the V6 TDI diesel engine and its engine-control software”, he said. The U.S. and German investigations could lead to criminal charges against Audi employees.
No individuals have so far been charged with wrongdoing in the investigations. Audi, the company that manufactured the engines found on VW and Porsche vehicles, aims to work closely with the regulatory board to see the issues resolved as soon as possible, Ruegheimer noted.
“The objective for the development of the technical measures is still to achieve the applicable emission targets in each case without any adverse effects on the engine output, fuel consumption and performance”. About 500,000 cars in the US are affected by the software.
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