In addition to its observations, findings and outlines of possible solutions on the EA 189 engines to the Government of India and ARAI, Volkswagen Group India has also presented its reasons for why it believes that its cars are not equipped with the infamous “defeat device”. Till November end, approximately 323,700 cars of Volkswagen, Skoda and Audi in India were equipped with EA 189 diesel engines. “Starting this month, we will start the process which will take three- to-six months to complete”, additional secretary in the heavy industries ministry Ambuj Sharma told Financial Chronicle. A communication program is being devised to reach out to the owners of cars with EA 189 engines through the group’s respective brands. “All necessary technical measures will be implemented in the vehicles at no cost to the customers”, the statement said.
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On continued sales of vehicles powered by the EA189 engines, VW said: “Based on the current situation, Volkswagen Group India will continue the production and sales of the cars with EA 189 engines in India”.
It was first revealed in September that VW had given some of its cars software that lets them emit less pollutants in tests than on the roads.
The company reiterates that the controversial engine software doesn’t pose any safety issues. The engine was also used in the VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne SUVs since model year 2013, Audi said.
The company said it remains “fully committed” to the Indian market and “will not deviate from its future planned investments, product plans and launches”.
Standard and Poor’s cut its credit rating for German automaker Volkswagen for a second time in two months Tuesday, saying its emissions scandal had “tarnished VW’s reputation and brand perception”. This in comparison to 31,725 units in November 2014 and 23,883 cars sold in the USA last month. While sales of its Chrysler and Dodge cars fell in November, the company’s Jeep division had a 20 percent gain. ARAI is a collaborative association between the automotive industry and the ministry of heavy industries and public enterprises.
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“Volkswagen has been hit with the double whammy of the emissions scandal and the fact they are relying on cars that nobody really wants”, said Alec Gutierrez, an analyst with the auto-research firm Kelley Blue Book.
