In short, Volkswagen has admitted to fitting 'cheat' devices to many of their diesel-powered cars which, when run through an emissions test, manages to detect that it's being tested and switch to a lower emissions mode in order to pass the test.
The emissions we're talking about here, are specifically NOx (Nitrogen Oxide) gasses, or exhaust particulates and the test was conducted in the United States by a third-party called the International Council on Clean Transport (ICCT). The aim of their experiment was to set out to prove the claim that the wave of new generation 'clean diesels' like those found in most of VWs range, are in fact cleaner than their petrol-powered equivalents.
The test, like all emissions and fuel consumption tests, happens on a rolling road or artificial road where conditions are usually optimal, and instead of proving VW's claim, what the ICCT found was huge discrepancies between the vehicles performance on the rolling road and real world conditions. And of course in the process, uncovered Volkswagen's deception. In real world driving conditions the vehicle tested produced up to 35 times more NOx gasses than the manufacturers claim.
This information was then forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) who both replicated these discrepancies, informed Volkswagen who after also replicating these discrepancies, recalled almost 500 000 vehicles in order to update the software fitted to these vehicles, and hopefully solve the problem. It didn't. Volkswagen made a number of excuses as to the higher exhaust NOx levels and eventually after that didn't fly, they admitted to installing a defeat or cheat device to these vehicles.
Shortly after that, the EPA went public with their findings which is where we find ourselves and Volkswagen now.
What does it all mean?
Well, for Volkswagen customers here in South Africa, very little. For customers in Europe and the United States, and indeed for the Volkswagen brand, quite a lot.
The effects are far reaching, Martin Winterkorn, the recently departed CEO who was at the helm of VW when the scandal emerged, has <del>stepped down</del> been fired. Roughly 11 million vehicles across the VW Group, including Audi, Skoda, and VW Commercial brands are affected. In the subsequent days after the revelations came to light, Volkswagen's stock fell by an incredible 38%! Trust and confidence in the Volkswagen brand, certainly outside of South Africa, are in ruins.
Volkswagen South Africa in the meantime has released an official statement.Which you can read below. Essentially, even though there are likely vehicles affected locally, customers need not worry because South Africa is way behind with regards to emissions laws.
"There has been extensive international media coverage relating to irregularities in Nitrogen oxide emission values measured during dynamometer testing regarding the emission standard Euro 5 of Volkswagen diesel vehicles fitted with the type EA189 Euro 5 engines.
In South Africa the compliance standard is EU 2. All Volkswagen Group diesel vehicles of the type EA 189 retailed in South Africa, that is, Volkswagen passenger, Audi, Light and Medium Commercial Vehicles comply with this standard for Nitrogen oxide emissions.
We want to further confirm that the bench mode in the software does not affect negatively the CO2 values. Our vehicles accordingly comply with the published CO2 values. Furthermore they are technically safe and roadworthy.
We would like to apologise to our customers for any uncertainty that may have been created over this issue and want to assure our valued customers, that their vehicles meet all the legal requirements in terms of which the National Regulator approved the sale for use in South Africa.
There is therefore no action required on either the part of the customer or our dealers."
