Topic: Volkswagen Could Recall 500,000 Cars After It Faked Pollution Tests

[Kelu]

VW placed a device in its cars that hid pollution levels from lab testing equipment - its cars actually emit 40 times the emissions standard

It’s been a while since we had a juicy recall story, but thanks to Volkswagen we have a very juicy recall story indeed. It turns out VW has been placing a ‘defeat device’ into its diesel cars, which allows them to pass lab testing despite the fact they actually emit 40 times more than the emissions standard.

According to the BBC, "The illegal system allowed cars to detect when they were undergoing a smog emission test and lowered the rate of pollution. Those emission controls were then turned off during ordinary use."

A recall could cost the manufacturer £11.5bn ($18bn). The recall would affect Jettas, Beetles, Golfs, and Audi A3s made between 2009-2014, and Passats built from 2014-15.

The US Environmental Protection Agency has stepped up its pursuit of car manufacturers, pushing them to make cars cleaner and punishing those that don’t hit targets. In 2014, it fined Hyundai and Kia $300m for falsifying fuel economy figures.

Update: According to Automotive News, the EPA has not officially ordered a recall or imposed fines as the investigation is ongoing, however it has said it’ll "hold VW responsible" for recalling the vehicles to reduce emissions.

Source: https://www.carthrottle.com/post/volkswagen-is-recalling-500000-cars-after-it-faked-pollution-tests/
Ouch if it real

[Sol Asylum]

Is that the same engine you had in the Dodge?

[Kelu]

Dodge was a 2008 Audi 2L diesel engine, one of the most popular, not sure if falls under this. Anyhow is only related to US 

[elff]

This can't kill anyone,  and it's a recall
yet GM won't recall the faulty air bag sensor in the passenger seat

[JoshMcMadMac]

More information,including a more thorough list of vehicles:
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=448053

[TomatoSoup]

I just love this quote... what a pile of decomposed juju beans: 

U.S. Reps. Fred Upton, R-Mich., and chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee and Tim Murphy, R-Pa., chairman of the investigations subcommittee, said in a joint statement.

“The American people deserve answers and assurances that this will not happen again. We intend to get those answers.”

From: http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/vw-diesel-sales-frozen-indefinitely-wake-emissions-scandal#ixzz3mTbt2CQ4

[Sol Asylum]

“The American people deserve answers and assurances that this will not happen again. We intend to get those answers.” or at least large sums of money to ignore not getting those answers.

[elff]

Can't they just have the EPA dump this somewhere in Colorado like they did the last time.

[Sol Asylum]

I wonder how many "green" people bought these cars thinking they were helping the environment only to find out they pulled a Colorado EPA move.

[Kelu]

Funny things imho:
- this started in 2014, VW recalled 500 000 cars in 2014 to "fix" this but actually they didn't and California concluded a new round of tests finished in july 2015 to prove once more that the recall was not a fix at all but just another lie
- the VW CEO words are like WTF for me:

- "I personally am deeply sorry that we have broken the trust of our customers and the public"... really? This is the message??? this is what it matters??? ...
- "Volkswagen has ordered an external investigation of this matter. " - like was a big unknown??? They admit it 2014 by recalling those 500 000 car and cheating once more afterwards
- "The trust of our customers and the public is and continues to be our most important asset." - and you decided to cheat the test some time ago???

Initially I thought that the fine of 37k for each car was high because those cars are sold lower price in US (another HUGE shameless act in the face of european clients) but now I think is a small price which they need to pay.

[TomatoSoup]

Initially I thought that the fine of 37k for each car was high because those cars are sold lower price in US (another HUGE shameless act in the face of european clients) but now I think is a small price which they need to pay.

Again, the $37500 per car fine, is the MAXimum that the EPA can levy.  They are still investigating and no fine has been set yet.

But if they levy a total fine that's higher than they did on GM for the ignition switch debacle ($35 million I think - no matter what your opinion of *that* fine is) then I think they are full of sh*t.

[Kelu]

TS: Between 35 millions and 16 billions is a huge difference ... anyhow don't forget they made this public ... which is a big hit in the VW arses.

Now I'm just watching and waiting to see how this will propagate in Europe, this will be interesting.

[critter]

they are now admitting that there are 11 million vehicles involved in some way. A far cry from 500,000. You know it will be interesting to see if any other manufacturers are/were involved. These guys talk and compare notes. I can't somehow believe that VW alone was either this smart or this stupid...stay tuned as the rest get turned upside down...

[TomatoSoup]

TS: Between 35 millions and 16 billions is a huge difference

You are absolutely right, Kelu.  I wonder if that was the point I was making?

... anyhow don't forget they made this public ... which is a big hit in the VW arses.

I'm not sure what you mean or what difference it makes.  Both issues were made public (?)

[Kelu]

You are absolutely right, Kelu.  I wonder if that was the point I was making?

I wasn't sure if I understood your statement: But if they levy a total fine that's higher than they did on GM for the ignition switch debacle then I think they are full of sh*t.
18 billions are higher of what was for GM

I'm not sure what you mean or what difference it makes.  Both issues were made public (?)

In Europe big companies are more favored by the gov, I wouldn't expect such things made public by the gov entities and the worse part is that the population kind of mutually accepts it because big companies have a huge impact in the economy. On the other hand in US, the population is more "protected" by the gov when are against a big company.

Took 3 days for the French minister to order an investigation on french brands, I bet he waited until he got private answers from all french brands before he made his order public 

[Sol Asylum]

I think GM paid a bit more than 35 million.  In fact this article says the total fines/settlement is around 2 billion.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2015/09/17/gm-justice-department-ignition-switch-defect-settlement/32545959