Volkswagen fitted ILLEGAL “defeat device” software on cars like the Golf TDI (pictured)
The U.S. Government has ordered Volkswagen to recall 482,000 cars fitted with illegal “defeat device” software which masks emissions in official tests.
The “defeat device” VW installed detects when the car is being subjected to official emissions testing and turns on full emissions controls, but at all other times they’re not implementing, meaning the cars in question can emit up to 40 times the level of NOx in the real world.
Cynthia Giles, the E.P.A.’s assistant administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance, said:
Using a defeat device in cars to evade clean air standards is illegal and a threat to public health.
Working closely with the California Air Resources Board, E.P.A. is committed to making sure that all automakers play by the same rules. E.P.A. will continue to investigate these very serious violations.
According to reports, VW has admitted they have been fitting the device, and it looks like there could be severe penalties involved. Hyundai Kia were hit with a $300 million fine for overstating economy and, on the face of it this transgression looks far more serious.
The maximum fine for violations like this is £24k per vehicle, which adds up to a potential liability as high as £11.5 billion.
Ouch.
More on the VW Emissions scandal:
- Matthias Muller is new VW CEO as it’s revealed 2.8 MILLION German cars affected by Defeat Device Scam
- £100 BILLION bill if VW forced to buy back defeat device cars
- BMW DID NOT use defeat device to scam X3 emissions
- Volkswagen DID use defeat device to scam emissions tests in UK & Europe
- VW suspect emissions revealed 18 MONTHS ago – BMW was ‘Clean’ in the same tests
- VW CEO Martin Winterkorn RESIGNS over emissions scandal
- VW defeat device software in MOST diesel cars – Porsche, Audi, SEAT and Skoda in the frame too
- “We totally screwed up” says VW as it reveals 2016 Passat in the US
- VW’s Martin Winterkorn apologies for emissions “defeat device” scam. Well, he would, wouldn’t he?
- Volkswagen fitted ILLEGAL “defeat device” software to SCAM emissions tests
Cars UK says
Hard to disagree with anything you say. It does seem an incredibly stupid thing to do. It also makes you wonder: If VW are doing this – who else is too?
Don Kwasny says
Really dumb move by Volkswagen. After a huge fine ,the owners will start another law suit wanting Volkswagen to buy back their defective cars . Then other countries will start fining and more lawsuits . This is going to be really expensive for Volkswagen. Plus the idea that a major corporation knew they were using software to fudge the emission laws ,is not exactly a company that consumers will trust .If they did this what else are they doing to lie about their vehicles .