Volkswagen diesel scandal
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A lot has been said about Volkswagen's use of "defeat device" software in diesel cars to cheat on emissions tests, but a German court may win the prize for most-creative description. VW "defeat device" software is like putting horse meat in lasagna, three German judges decreed during a recent hearing related to the diesel scandal. Besides unleashing that vivid image, the hearing was also a major coup for German Volkswagen TDI diesel owners. DON'T MISS: Diesel owners in Germany who sue VW face significant hurdles That's because the judges ordered VW to reimburse a diesel owner for the full...
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VW settles diesel cheating cases: felony pleas, $4.3 billion fines
Last week, Volkswagen settled an array of criminal and civil charges over its 16-month-old diesel scandal with the U.S. Justice Department. The news of the settlement was quickly swamped by a variety of further stories, both on the regulatory and diesel fronts. Those included the arrest of one...
John Voelcker -
Justice Department launches criminal probe of FCA diesels: report
It's been a busy week for U.S. agencies as they release information on their final actions before a new administration takes office. Yesterday the U.S. Department of Justice reportedly opened a criminal probe into the actions of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles over the emission certification of its...
John Voelcker -
5 more VW diesel execs indicted, including R&D head, after weekend arrest
On Wednesday, six senior VW Group executives were indicted by the Justice Department on multiple counts of conspiracy and intent to defraud. The charges include conspiracy to defraud the United States, to defraud customers, and to violate the Clean Air Act. All stemmed from the Volkswagen diesel...
Stephen Edelstein -
VW executive arrested by FBI on diesel emission conspiracy charges
The head of VW Group's U.S. regulatory compliance group was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation this weekend on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States. Oliver Schmidt led the German automaker's regulatory compliance during 2014 and the early part of 2015. The Volkswagen...
John Voelcker -
Advocacy group says diesel cars coming back; it meant trucks
The Diesel Technology Forum notes that diesel's market share increased in the second half of 2016, but that was mostly due to truck sales.
Stephen Edelstein -
The $14.7 billion diesel-emission settlement among Volkswagen and regulatory agencies required VW to buy back or modify almost half a million TDI vehicles from model years 2009 through 2015. While the buybacks have received the most attention—and most owners are expected to take them—the company also submitted plans to modify its diesels to meet the emission limits that their "defeat device" software ignored. Now the first such modification has been approved both by the EPA and the powerful California Air Resources Board. DON'T MISS: VW 3-liter diesel updates OKed, but buyback...
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Diesel owners in Germany who sue VW face significant hurdles
German Volkswagen diesel owners face more obstacles in securing compensation than U.S. owners.
Stephen Edelstein -
VW diesel buyback advice: don't strip parts off your car first, judge warns
The judge overseeing the Volkswagen 2.0-liter diesel settlement advised owners not to strip parts off their cars.
Stephen Edelstein -
VW to pay $1 billion-plus for 3.0-liter diesel cheats; separately, Bosch pays too
Costs of a Volkswagen 3.0-liter diesel settlement could rise to $1 billion.
Stephen Edelstein -
VW diesel probe focuses on missing phones: 'bright red flag,' says FTC
The Federal Trade Commission believes Volkswagen may have destroyed phones with evidence related to the diesel scandal.
Stephen Edelstein -
VW 3-liter diesel updates OKed, but buyback negotiations continue
VW Group announced yesterday it had reached a preliminary agreement with various regulators to resolve civil suits related to "defeat device" software in vehicles fitted with its 3.0-liter V-6 diesel engines. Those cars—a variety of SUVs and sedans sold by Audi, Porsche, and...
John Voelcker -
The cost of electric cars and diesels will equalize around 2025, says one Volkswagen Group of America executive.
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Porsche too said to use 'defeat device' software for gasoline cars
It's been 15 months since news broke that VW Group had used "defeat device" software in its diesel cars and SUVs that let them emit far more than permitted levels of nitrogen oxides in real-world use. Even now, however, the Volkswagen diesel scandal continues to grow new tentacles as investigators...
John Voelcker -
VW opens 'Electrify America' site for comment on $2 billion charging plan
Volkswagen is now accepting public comments on how to spend $2 billion in zero-emission vehicle infrastructure funding.
Stephen Edelstein -
EU starts legal action against Germany, UK for failing to act on diesel emissions
The European Commission alleges certain nations don't enforce emissions standards strictly enough.
Stephen Edelstein -
Congress questions VW $2 billion in zero-emission infrastructure funding
Members of a House committee are questioning whether a provision for zero-emission infrastructure funding should have been included in the VW 2.0-liter diesel settlement.
Stephen Edelstein -
Emissions collusion between VW and German agency runs deep: magazine
As the Volkswagen diesel scandal lumbers onwards, German media outlets have often broken the latest news and revelations from deep inside VW Group. While the German auto giant had hoped at first to have the issue largely wrapped up by now, the scandal first publicly revealed in September 2015 shows...
John Voelcker -
The Volkswagen Group had the highest recorded recall rates in a new iSeeCars.com report.
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Diesel: Mercedes asks if it's worth the effort, Audi sticks with it for U.S.
Mercedes-Benz is considering whether to stop selling diesels in the U.S.
Stephen Edelstein -
VW to build Atlas TDI diesel in U.S., but only for export to Russia
Volkswagen is planning a diesel version of the Atlas crossover, but not for the U.S.
Stephen Edelstein -
VW has criminal charges too; does Audi trans cheat make settling harder?
Volkswagen hopes to settle criminal charges before January 20.
Stephen Edelstein -
VW offers $1,000 loyalty bonus to all owners of 2001-later Volkswagens
Volkswagen is offering a loyalty bonus to current owners as the diesel scandal continues.
Stephen Edelstein -
VW's home state calls diesel actions 'inexcusable' as scandal expands
Volkswagen faces criticism and an investigation in its home state.
Stephen Edelstein