Volkswagen to recall almost 500,000 cars in the US over EPA violation
Volkswagen will recall almost 500,000 vehicles released from 2009 to 2015 in the United States after the carmaker allegedly violated the law by using illegal software, which helped it go past environmental restrictions.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said Volkswagen broke the law by installing a "defeat device" in Volkswagen and Audi units with four-cylinder turbo diesel engines released from the year 2009 to 2015. Under normal driving conditions, the emission control devices installed in the said cars worked with reduced efficacy, according to the Dispatch Times.
In the wake of the violation, Volkswagen chief executive Martin Winterkorn delivered a statement apologizing to their customers and vowing to cooperate with EPA's investigation. However, he did not deny the allegations regarding the illegal software, the International Business Times reports.
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"I personally am deeply sorry that we have broken the trust of our customers and the public," said Winterkorn in his statement.
Because of the notice of violation from the EPA, Volkswagen is now facing penalties amounting to more than $18 billion, or around $37,500 per unit, based on the U.S.A. federal Clean Air Act. EPA and CARB discovered the illegal software after researchers at the West Virginia University conducted an independent study in cooperation with the global Council on Clean Transportation, the report adds.
Volkswagen has been struggling to sell cars in the United States because of the rising cases of asthma and other respiratory illnesses caused by air pollutants. The diesel vehicles affected by the recall were being counted on to pull up the company's sales in the United States.
Based on the findings of the EPA, Volkswagen had included a certain algorithm in the cars' emissions software that could detect when an emission test is being conducted.
Owners of the diesel cars affected by the recall will be notified by Volkswagen by next year, EPA said. Until Consumer Reports can "retest" the said cars, the recommended rating for the Passat, Jetta, Golf, Beetle, and Audi A3 luxury compact will remain on hold, the report relays.
