Experts say Volkswagen may face less of a problem in India where emission standards are very different to the U.S. Even so, any scandal would have an impact on sales.
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“We have requested ARAI to check up with Volkswagen and find out if this issue is applicable over here”.
“We have asked ARAI to investigate the matter and submit a report by Wednesday (September 30)”, Union Heavy Industries Minister Anant Geete told PTI on the sidelines of IEEMA annual convention here. Obviously, we need to make sure these kinds of things do not happen here.
ARAI, which is under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, provides technical expertise in research and development, testing, certification, homologation and framing of vehicle regulations.
Road Transport and Highways Secretary Vijay Chhibber also said the department is working in tandem with the Heavy Industries Ministry over the matter.
Asked about steps being taken, he said: “We are studying the matter…”
When contacted, a Volkswagen India spokesperson declined to comment stating “the investigations are still running”.
The spillover of the Volkswagen AG scandal in the U.S. has finally reached the Indian shores.
VW, earlier this week, admitted to installing a software program on its EA 189 type diesel engines sold in the American market. The government is concerned whether the company dodged emission tests in India on lines similar to what it did in the United States, where an investigation is on and can result in possible penalties of over $18 billion for manipulation.
The ARAI also will look into whether the company used the same software in local emission tests as it did in the USA, Sharma said.
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It could hide the fact that the emission levels of diesel cars were 40 times higher than the level of pollutants allowed in the US.
