Just in case you haven’t seen or read the news recently (September 2015), VW (Volkswagen) has been caught cheating pollution tests in the US. Ok we don’t like focusing on VW too much as one of us has actually bought one (petrol Golf DSG if you must know – recall effected too!) so it is a little sad to hear of yet another high profile case involving VW cars. This issue involves VW Golf based models like the Jetta, Beetle etc…
Furthermore Audi, Skoda, Seat or any VW owned car brand that has been equipped with a diesel engine based on the same design is effected by the same cheating. They did it on purpose which is shockingly bad decision and that no-one (including disgruntled employees) actually reported it. The cheat and false advertising is not something to be taken lightly as it is highly technical and a potential killer to anyone and VW may gain the reputation as the choice car for early death and suicides. Since the emissions process is quite a significant part of the design process it is also clear that the cheat MUST have been approved by senior staff at VW. It takes many people to design that sort of computer and software. Considering that a prior recall was made and that the new cars sold still had the same flaw indicates typical VW arrogance and PR stupidity.
It is not surprising that Suzuki has terminated their ‘so called merger’ after VW failed to provide them with any diesel engines or technology a few years ago, which is still on going in the courts until recently. Also not surprising now, that the Ferdinand Piech quit the CEO role – after a power struggle with Martin Winterkorn the one responsible for research and development. As the report says VW has centralised management so – arguably they knew.
This other report suitably called Das Bummer provides some more interesting facts and figures but also points out something that we’ve mentioned before that diesel particles if not cleaned up enough can cause health problems. Since the EPA can issue fines of $37,500 per car and the following class actions from owners it WILL be a costly decision to make.
Although the cars with rigged programming is currently limited to the US models it is a possibility (now confirmed 23/9/15) that other countries are effected. Of course we can’t be sure since it will ruin the company hence there are political and economic implications. Expect the media to focus on the US market rather than Europe where there are many other issues that dominate the headlines. Don’t expect buyers in China to complain too much on this particular issue rather the trust factor, as their pollution controls are clearly decades behind the rest of the world. However expect political interference as the prior DSG gearbox problem.
Our final comment is: Will VW be the ONLY manufacturer that has been caught doing the wrong thing?