According to the company, existing installed software does not affects the handling, technical safety or roadworthiness of the cars.
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Volkswagen has since responded in a statement saying it will present a solution to the Automotive Research Association of India and the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
“We also see weaker business prospects for the group, as VW experiences reduced profits and cash flows from lower volumes and prices, as well as substantial costs and potential fines and litigation damages”, it said in a statement.
When asked if Volkswagen will face any penalty or action, he said MoRTH will take a decision on the matter in a couple of days. Meanwhile, environmental groups such as the National Green Tribunal have turned up the heat on Volkswagen in India, seeking a ban on the manufacture and sale of its vehicles in the country for allegedly flouting emission norms. The tests carried out by ARAI show that the emission is higher in case of used vehicles, while emission from new cars is much lower than the prescribed limits.
The recall will cover VW, Audi and Skoda cars with EA189 series diesel engines.
“Volkswagen is working tirelessly on an approved remedy”, said Mark McNabb, the chief operating officer of Volkswagen of America.
The cars were sold from 2008 to the end of November 2015 and the tally includes about 198,500 VWs, 88,700 Skodas and 36,500 Audis with 1.2-, 1.5-, 1.6- and two-litre diesel engines.
Volkswagen initially denied this, but subsequently admitted to the EPA and the California Air Resources Board that these vehicles had three separate Auxiliary Emission Control Device (AECD) software routines, one of which qualifies as a “defeat device” under the agency’s certification rules.
Measures for the 1.2-litre diesel engines will be announced shortly, the company said.
In October, the company’s Indian unit said it was recalling 389 units of its best-selling Polo hatchback produced in September for inspection and preventive fix of a glitch in the handbrake. “All technical measures will be implemented as soon as they are available”.
The fall reflected the halt in sales of diesel cars that manipulated pollution tests, the company said.
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Audi officially announced to offering a similar Goodwill Package to all A3 TDI owners affected by Volkswagen AG’s Dieselgate scandal as Volkswaten TDI drivers, as a preliminary step to regain the trust of their customers and simply say, they’re sorry.
