“We are providing this goodwill package as a first step towards regaining our customers’ trust”, said Michael Horn, the head of VW’s U.S. operations.
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“They will appreciate the communication, but I imagine that until a real resolution is found that appreciation will be muted”, said Kalafer.
VW has admitted to using software, known as a defeat device, in the 2009-2015 Audi A3 and the Volkswagen Beetle, Golf, Jetta and Passat TDI cars with 2.0-liter diesel engines to trick emissions tests.
Brazil fined Volkswagen $13 million on November 12, the maximum under Brazilian law, over the cheating scheme.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in September announced that select Volkswagen’s diesel cars have been programmed to rig the numbers in emission tests.
Wellington lawyer Edward Cox, who is organising a group legal action against Volkswagen, said the USA offer “appeared consistent with what they describe as a goodwill offer” but is disappointed not to have received an indication that New Zealand owners stand to be compensated.
The package mainly includes a Visa gift card worth $500 and a $500 store credit to be used for services and merchandise from VW dealers.
But we do know the KBA is including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Peugeot, as well as Audi, VW, Porsche, and other brands in the far-reaching probe.
The letter sent to Volkswagen CEO Matthias Müller demanded information on which models and how many newly registered cars were affected by the cheating software. 4 million vehicles being recalled for fixes in Germany, regulators “currently expect that approximately 540,000 will also need hardware changes” as well as software changes. Diess also said that Volkswagen will notify investigating authorities about any employee who has shown a willingness to cooperate. Fitch cited the “possibility of further problems still to be uncovered” by the company’s internal investigation as well as “relatively weak corporate governance”.
About 500,000 Volkswagen vehicles with 2-liter and 4-liter cylinder diesel engines sold in the U.S. market are falling below the United States emission standards.
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Europe’s biggest auto maker said it had understated the fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions of about 800,000 vehicles – dragging in petrol cars for the first time and adding €2bn (£1.4bn) to VW’s bill to cover the fall-out from the episode.
