VW Responds to Clean Air Scandal Involving Millions of Vehicles

Volkswagen is responding to a report that the group violated American environmental standards in diesel engines.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board (EPA and CARB) recently revealed its findings. The findings were uncovered while testing diesel cars by Volkswagen Group. The organizations detected manipulations that violate environmental standards.

The EPA has issued a notice of violation of the Clean Air Act to Volkswagen and Audi, alleging that four –cylinder diesel cars from model years 2009 to 2015 include software that circumvents emission standards for certain air pollutants.

“Using a defeat device in cars to evade clean air standards is illegal and a threat to public health,” said Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Working closely with the California Air Resources Board, EPA is committed to making sure that all automakers play by the same rules. EPA will continue to investigate these very serious matters.”

According to the EPA, a sophisticated software algorithm on certain Volkswagen vehicles detects when the car is undergoing official emissions testing, and turns full emissions controls on only during the test. The effectiveness of these vehicles’ pollution emissions control devices is greatly reduced during all normal driving situations.

“I personally am deeply sorry that we have broken the trust of our customers and the public,” said CEO Dr. Martin Winterkorn. “We will cooperate fully with the responsible agencies, with transparency and urgency, to clearly, openly, and completely establish all of the facts of this case. Volkswagen has ordered an external investigation of this matter.”

As a result of the findings, VW may be liable for civil penalties and injunctive relief for the violations. Approximately 482,000 diesel passenger cars sold in the United States since 2008. The affected diesel models include:

• Jetta (Model Years 2009 – 2015)
• Beetle (Model Years 2009 – 2015)
• Audi A3 (Model Years 2009 – 2015)
• Golf (Model Years 2009 – 2015)
• Passat (Model Years 2014-2015)

Another statement has been issued by Volkswagen stating that the company is “working at full speed” to clarify the irregularities regarding the software used in diesel engines. An internal investigation shows that relevant engine management software is also installed in other VW vehicles with diesel engines. Discrepancies relate to vehicles with Type EA 189 engines, involving some eleven million vehicles worldwide. A noticeable deviation between bench test results and actual road use was established solely for this type of engine.

Car owners should know that although these vehicles have emissions exceeding standards, these violations do not present a safety hazard and the cars remain legal to drive and resell. Owners of cars of these models and years do not need to take any action at this time.

The automaker has stated that it will set aside 6.5 billion euros ($9.6 billion Cdn) in the current quarter to deal with repairs and other service issues related to the recall of the 11 million vehicles worldwide. This money will not be used for fines or legal costs.