Re: VW to recall diesel cars in India
Excerpt from TOI :
Government asks Volkswagen to come clear on emission test software
Volkswagen India has been asked to come forward with more information on the number of cars sold in the country fitted with the software that throws forth varying results in test and actual conditions.
Pune-based Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has revealed its finding to the ministry of heavy industries, which suggests that some cars might have been fitted with he same software. "The department of heavy industries, which had ordered the probe, has advised the German auto-maker to come forward and make an announcement," a senior government official told TOI.
ARAI will submit its final report to the ministry in a couple of days.
Volkswagen on its part said in a statement that it would be able to clear the picture only by end November.
"Since there is a complex combination of several brands, various models, different engine variants and gearboxes as well as different model years that need to be analysed, establishing detailed facts is taking a longer time. Volkswagen Group India will present its results from the evaluations by the end of November 2015," the company said.
The company is expected to come forward with details like how many cars were fitted with the software in India, how it will rectify the problem and the timeline to rectify the same. "The next steps will depend on the findings from these evaluations," the company said.
ARAI seems to have found the vehicle emitting more than permissible emissions in its on-road testing cycles. "It is high time some disclosures are made in the case. The ministry is of the view that the company should come forward with relevant details," an official in know of the developments said.
The company had admitted earlier that some 11 million cars worldwide were fitted with the software, but is yet to reveal how many cars have been fitted with the same software in India.
A specific questionnaire to the company seeking further information on how many cars are affected, manufacturing year and the remedy thereof did not receive a clear response as the company's spokesperson said these details were still being "investigated". Nor did the company comment on what assurance it can give that yet-to-be-sold Volkswagen cars will not be fitted with he same software.
"Investigations are underway at the headquarters n Germany as well as in India to find out if cars sold with the EA 189 engines are impacted due to the software or not, in the Indian context. Volkswagen India is waiting for results...will communicate further after he results are out," a Volkswagen India spokesperson said.
In an earlier reply to a query on what make of cars sold in India were fitted with he EA 189 software, Volkswagen India said, "Volkswagen has sold in India the Po o, Vento, Jetta and Passat with different EA 189 engines (1.2-litre, 1.5-litre, 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre diesel engines) between 2008 and till now. Further, we cannot comment on the numbers at he moment till the evaluations are running."