VW emissions update

Volkswagen was accused on Friday (9/18/15) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of “cheating” emissions testing.

“Put simply, these cars contained software that turns off emission controls when driving normally and turns them on when the car is undergoing an emissions test,” Cynthia Giles, an enforcement officer as the Environmental Protection Agency, told reporters in a teleconference.

Since 2008, around 500,000 “clean diesel” vehicles were sold with this software. Volkswagen has halted sales of some 2015 diesel models and has vowed to “reverse the damage”. Volkswagen is also barred from selling 2016 model vehicles with the 2.0 diesel engine until federal officials get the answers they’re looking for.

Volkswagen has ordered an external investigation into this scandal, Chief Executive Officer Martin Winterkorn said. He also apologized in a statement, saying “I personally am deeply sorry that we have broken the trust of our customers.”

Volkswagen could face up to $18 billion in fines, $37,500 for each offending vehicle, sold since 2008. These vehicles emit 10 to 40 times the level of pollutants allowed under federal clean air rules.

Volkswagen is also fully cooperating with all relevant agencies.

I’m curious how something like this goes on for seven years, aren’t you? Also, how does Volkswagen “reverse the damage”?

Oh, and this:

UPDATE:

I did a little more digging to find out which Volkswagen/Audi vehicles are involved in this “cheating scandal”. Here’s what I found:

Volkswagen: 2009-2015 diesel Jetta, Passat, Sportwagen, and Beetle

Audi: 2009-2015 A3 cars with 2.0 liter engines

UPDATE 9/22:

Volkswagen has said more than 11 million vehicles are involved. Click here for the company’s official statement.